Graeme Smith: 'I Would Like to See More Indian Players in SA20'

Graeme Smith: 'I Would Like to See More Indian Players in SA20'

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith hopes to include more Indian players in future editions of the league, while confirming that the 2025–26 season will run from December 26 to January 25.

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith has expressed a strong desire to see more Indian players in South Africa’s premier T20 league. So far, only Dinesh Karthik has featured in the SA20, turning out for Paarl Royals last season after retiring from Indian cricket. Under current BCCI rules, active Indian players whether international, domestic, or IPL-contracted—are not allowed to participate in overseas leagues. That policy remains a key hurdle, but Smith is hopeful of continued dialogue with the BCCI, especially given that all six SA20 franchises are owned by IPL team owners.

Smith emphasised that the league is well-positioned to welcome Indian players if the rules ever change. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing the inclusion of retired Indian stars with maintaining a high level of competition, as franchises are focused on winning and want players who can consistently perform.

The fourth edition of SA20 is scheduled from December 26, 2025, to January 25, 2026, across six cities. Interestingly, the league will kick off on Boxing Day a date traditionally reserved for South Africa’s home Test matches. However, due to a packed calendar and no Boxing Day Test scheduled in the current FTP cycle, the SA20 takes centre stage this year. South Africa will be touring India for an all-format series from November 14 to December 19, leaving just a week before the SA20 begins. After the league concludes, South Africa will host West Indies for a T20I series starting January 27, followed closely by the T20 World Cup in India from February 7.

Smith also praised South Africa’s recent achievements on the global stage. The men’s team won their first-ever World Test Championship title at Lord’s in June, while the women’s team reached their maiden ODI World Cup final earlier this month, finishing runners-up to India. They had also made back-to-back finals in the women’s T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2024.

As for a women’s SA20, Smith said it’s on the radar. Cricket South Africa has been investing in grassroots development through U-19 camps and school programs. While the national women’s team is strong, the domestic structure still needs strengthening. CSA is considering launching exhibition matches similar to how the BCCI began with the Women’s T20 Challenge before potentially expanding into a full-fledged women’s league in the future.