Jacques Kallis Hopes Dinesh Karthik's Participation in SA20 Marks the Dawn of Indian Players Joining
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New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) The iconic South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis remarked that Dinesh Karthik's entry into the third season of the SA20 tournament is likely the beginning of more Indian cricketers joining the competition in the future. Karthik, who concluded his IPL and international cricket career earlier this year, will be the first Indian athlete to participate in the SA20, representing Paarl Royals. The league's third season is set to kick off on January 9, 2025.
“It’s fantastic to have top-notch players, particularly from India, participating, as they haven’t had many opportunities to play in leagues globally. So, I hope this encourages many more Indians to come over,” Kallis stated.
“Fans are eager to watch India play cricket and enjoy seeing their stars in the IPL. Experiencing Karthik's skills live will undoubtedly excite the audience as they observe his performance throughout the tournament,” Kallis, who is the SA20 Brand Ambassador, shared during a virtual chat with IANS on Wednesday.
The initial two seasons of SA20 attracted significant crowds eager to witness the matches and elite players. Kallis, who was an assistant coach for the Pretoria Capitals during the first two seasons, is confident that the upcoming season could build an even larger fanbase.
“Each season, they’ve focused on enhancing the quality of overseas players. The first season faced challenges due to scheduling, making it hard to attract foreign talent,” Kallis explained.
“Now that it fits into the schedule, international players are aware and can plan accordingly. This makes it crucial to bring in top overseas players to join the finest talent we have in South Africa,” he added.
“As stated, the event is for the entire family—everyone from children to grandparents enjoys the entertainment and the high-quality cricket. I have no doubt that this season will be as successful, if not more so, than the previous two in terms of attendance,” Kallis remarked.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions of SA20, will kick off their title defense at their home ground, St George's Park, against MI Cape Town. Kallis concluded by expressing his belief that the team led by Aiden Markram has the potential to secure a third consecutive title.
“It’s going to be challenging. Once you’ve claimed the title, everyone aims to dethrone you. They successfully defended it the second time, which was commendable. Achieving a third title will be tough, as all eyes will be on them,” Kallis noted.
“However, I believe they possess a capable team. It will be fascinating to observe their approach. Their planning has been commendable, and they have a very good and composed coach who connects well with the team. So, do I think they can win a third time? Absolutely,” he added.
