Sports
Playing India gives South Africa T20 squad IPL window
‘In the camp, I don’t think there’s been many discussions along those lines’
South Africa captain Aiden Markram and his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav (right) pose with the trophy yesterday, on the eve of first match of the four-match T20I series.
A four-match Twenty20 series against India comes at an opportune time for South Africa’s cricketers as it provides an additional stage to highlight their skills before the Indian Premier League auction later this month, said captain Aiden Markram.
South African cricketers have been dotted around IPL franchises over the years but those who have not secured contracts can enhance their chances of being hired for next year’s competition if they impress when the two countries meet in their week-long series, starting in Durban today.
“As we all know, a lot of things can fall into place for players and we’re fortunate that we play in a series against (India) pretty much just before the auction happens,” Markram told a press conference yesterday.
“So that would pretty much be the bonus of doing well, firstly, collectively and for the individuals that put their hands up.
“I don’t think it’s your motivation to do well when you play for your country but it’s the bonus that potentially could follow.”
The IPL and other T20 competitions worldwide have proven a lucrative revenue source for cricketers.
“In the camp, I don’t think there’s been many discussions along those lines. But again, if guys put the hands up, do well, and it leads to more, I would certainly be really chuffed for them,” Markram added.
South Africans already retained for next year’s IPL, expected to be played from late March to late May, are Heinrich Klaasen at Sunrisers Hyderabad and Tristan Stubbs at Delhi Capitals, while 91 South Africans have registered for the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. With each franchise able to fill a maximum squad of 25 players, 204 slots will be up for grabs at the auction.
This is the first time India will be facing South Africa in T20Is since the dramatic T20 World Cup final. India won that match despite South Africa needing just 30 runs to win in the last five overs at one point.
Since then, India have gone on a 10-match winning streak, all of which have come under Suryakumar Yadav.
He said that he tries to get players to feel that the dressing room is their comfort zone.
“As a leader, my batting style is completely different. I can’t be as aggressive as a captain. But, yeah, you have to understand what’s happening around you, I have to understand what my players are thinking. Giving them a comfort zone is very important. Everybody has their skills. They also want to come out and express themselves,” the Suryakumar explained.
“Off the field, I try and spend a lot of time with them. I try and assess their strengths and see when they can come of use for the team in pressure and crunch situations. That’s how I am on the field. This format is such that you keep playing and keep learning. It’s so fast. By the time, you blink, this game is over. So freedom and clarity of thought are very important,” he said.
India are likely to hand batting allrounder Ramandeep Singh his T20I cap. Axar Patel should also get a chance after warming the bench during the New Zealand Test series.
