SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith is keen on increasing the participation of Indian cricketers in South Africa’s premier T20 league. He revealed that the 2025-26 season will run from December 26 to January 25, shifting the traditional Boxing Day Test window. Smith, speaking in Mumbai, acknowledged the immense talent and popularity of Indian players. The league aims to collaborate with the BCCI to explore avenues for Indian player involvement within existing regulations. Currently, only retired players like Dinesh Karthik have featured, as active Indian cricketers are restricted from overseas leagues by BCCI policy. Smith highlighted that with six IPL franchises owning SA20 teams, there’s a strong potential to attract top Indian talent should policies change, noting that player contracts are direct deals between franchises and individuals. The focus remains on securing competitive players who can deliver consistent performances, mirroring the success seen in the IPL.
