Former South African captain AB De Villiers said that like how the Indian Premier League (IPL) changed many lives over the years, he now hopes Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) SA20 will do the same.
The inaugural season of SA20 kicks off on January 10, 2023, with six teams participating in the league.
The Proteas batting legend, who has played in the IPL since its inception in 2008, believes that the SA20 comes at a really good time for South African cricket and hopes the T20 league will give the youngsters a base and the foundation to get exposure at the highest level.
As reported by Times of India, AB de Villiers told CSA: “I think the SA20 comes at a really good time for South African cricket. We have seen the amazing things that these leagues have done to cricket in particular nations. To give our youngsters this base and the foundation to get exposure at the highest level against the best players in the world is what it's all about.”
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Among the youngsters that De Villiers will be keeping a close eye on is MI Cape Town's young batting sensation Dewald Brevis. After starring in the 2022 U19 World Cup, Brevis carried that form into the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, and most notably in Cricket SA's T20 Challenge competition when he blasted 162 off just 57 balls.
De Villiers believes that Dewald Brevis' growth will only get higher while playing alongside Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone for the MI Cape Town in the SA20, just like he learned things from legends like Australia’s Glenn McGrath when he first joined the IPL in 2008.
The legendary batter further said, “It was a huge occasion for me and a lot of the other players. The start of the IPL changed our lives. The people are really passionate about cricket. Not only with the home team but they support members in other teams as well.”
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He continued, “The biggest thing that stands out for me are the people that I met. I think of Glenn McGrath and the time I spent with him. He was this hard guy and all of a sudden I am sitting with him in the changeroom and having a beer with him.”
Hailing SA20 League commissioner Graeme Smith, De Villiers said: “Graeme and I have come a long way together, and to have him right at the top of SA cricket right now, making a lot of good calls, and changing things.”
He concluded, “The SA20 … I don't think it would have been possible if it weren't for him and all his connections and experience. I think we all owe Graeme a real thank you for bringing this big tournament to SA.”
(PTI inputs)
