Former South African captain Graeme Smith claimed that they are adopting the IPL’s model of creating all-format players, considering that the cash-rich league has done so in abundance over the years. The SA20 commissioner praised the process by which Indian cricket has found a slew of excellent players.
The IPL is now the largest T20 league; it shapes top players globally due to high-level competition. It’s not just Indian athletes; international ones too have won slots in their national teams based on their T20 tournament performance.
Graeme Smith told PTI Bhasha that following in the footsteps of the IPL can help South Africa re-establish itself as a cricket superpower. He highlighted the IPL’s importance in the same, saying:
“We want to follow the IPL in producing all-format players. We would love to see our national team competing in World Cups and playing Test matches all around the world and having a robust T20 league as well. Indian Cricket is so blessed that they have so much talent. When we talk about these two, their fame and their skills come into light largely through the IPL. Talent is coming through different platforms now and if you are good enough, you can still play every format.”
Graeme Smith
The IPL importantly influenced SA20’s creation, as all its six teams were bought by ex-IPL franchise owners. These teams include Joburg Super Kings, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, MI Cape Town, Durban’s Super Giants and SunRisers Eastern Cape.
“I want Test cricket to be strong” – Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith also bemoaned South Africa’s recent Test results and the dearth of talented cricketers emerging from the local circuit. He added:
“I love Test Cricket and I want Test Cricket to be strong but it is probably a 6 or 7 nation format and T20 is for growth. It is introducing new players, new fans and new markets to the game. It is important for South African cricket to bring gravitas to its own product and keep cricket in this region strong. It hurts. We haven’t played good Test Cricket for long. We have some quality players but no one is averaging above 40 while when we played the average of six players was about close to 50.”
Graeme Smith
The Proteas drew their latest Test series with India 1-1. They are currently in New Zealand for a two-Test series.