SA20 filled the gap that had emerged in South African cricket for some time: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra (Photo Source: Instagram/Aakash Chopra)

Hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’, Aakash Chopra explained why the SA20, which begins on Wednesday, was such a success in its first season in 2023 and what fans can expect in Season 2. Excerpts:

On what makes a successful league

I back AB de Villers’ prediction that SA20 will soon become the second biggest league after the IPL. I feel SA20 has got the right ingredients from the first season itself. For that, you can credit Graeme Smith and the South African public. The Board too deserves credit for the importance they have given the league. Building a connect with fans in the first season was critical. You look at any match that was held in the first season and the stadiums were packed everywhere. In fact, towards the end, fans turned up even at neutral venues. SA20 filled the gap that had emerged in South African cricket for some time.

The other thing that SA20 got right is that the board prioritized this league. Some people have complained that South Africa are not playing the full-strength team in a Test series and that they conceded an ODI series. But the board realized that they could not hold on long to the players if they could not provide something interesting. The SA20 also stands out for the exposure it has provided to the local talent and the quality of performances they have come up with.

On what to expect in the second edition of the SA20

Once again we will see the Indian connection. The teams are owned by those who own the IPL franchises. There is a definite overlap and an association. The other thing about this league is that it was hugely successful last season mainly because of the performance of its local players, be it Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen or Kagiso Rabada.

I feel left-arm spinners will have a major role to play this time. Every team has a left-arm spinner in its ranks. Keshav Maharaj is in fact the captain of his team Durban’s Super Giants. Bjorn Fortuin of Paarl Royals too is a good left-armer. There’s something in the South African pitches where pace bowlers excel and so do left-arm spinners.