Graeme Smith on having more Indian players in the SA20 while mindful of the “balance between of retired players and keeping the league strong”.
Graeme Smith: ‘Would love to have more Indian players’ in SA20.
Graeme Smith, the SA20 commissioner, “would love to have more Indian players” in their T20 league, and they would keep working with the BCCI on this. Dinesh Karthik, a former Indian batsman who played for the Paarl Royals in the previous season, is now the only Indian to have participated in the SA20.
Karthik only played in the SA20 after retiring from Indian cricket because the BCCI’s current policy prohibits any player involved in Indian cricket—international, domestic, or IPL—from playing in international T20 tournaments. Since IPL team owners own all six of the league’s clubs, there is also a strong Indian connection.
“Firstly, we would love to have more Indian players [in SA20],” Smith said in Mumbai on Wednesday. “I think whenever India play in South Africa, you can see the love for the Indian team. The talent is incredible. I think we will continue to work with the BCCI on these things. And I think if that ever changes with the six IPL franchises, I think we’re perfectly suited to be able to attract Indian players. Those type of contracts with Dinesh signing with Paarl Royals is always a direct deal between the franchise [and the player].
“And I think, obviously, with retired players and more retired players coming, it’s a balance between attracting that retired Indian player but still keeping your league competitive. And our franchises really want to win, as you’ve experienced in IPL and in SA20. So they’re always looking for the best players who can perform consistently.”
SA20’s fourth season will run in six cities for one month, from December 26, 2025, to January 25, 2026. Although South Africa’s home season typically begins with the customary Boxing Day Test on December 26, this year’s Boxing Day will also be the opening of their premier Twenty20 league. When they hosted Pakistan last year, it was an exciting match that South Africa won by two wickets to guarantee their place in the WTC final.