He was asked such a question in the midst of a virtual media engagement. Prominently, Mark Boucher was questioned regarding Team India’s and former MI captain Rohit Sharma’s potential involvement in the SA20 league following their retirement from the IPL and farewell to international cricket. While IPL franchise owners have a stake in the SA20 league, Boucher responded that while the idea was highly tempting to him, it cannot be completely ruled out that Rohit and Co. will compete in the event.
Some of the game’s legends have moved around the world to play in different leagues since the introduction of T20 cricket. As a result, players from many countries gradually came together on a single platform to share amazing fellowship. Many cricket players have made friends as a result, and they are eager to play in each other’s home leagues. While the concept is not far from becoming a reality, Indian players participating in T20 leagues other than the Indian Premier League (IPL) have not changed their position.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a strict stance with regard to allowing Indian players to compete in some of the most prestigious leagues, such as the Big Bash League (BBL) and the recently successful South African SA20 league. Surprisingly, when Mark Boucher, the head coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI) and a former Protea wicketkeeper-batter, was questioned, he was asked if Rohit Sharma would ever play in his own country’s league.
However, he abundantly stated that these topics are directly tied to the BCCI and hence he cannot answer them with certainty. Notably, players who have already retired from both the IPL and international cricket may be eligible for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to compete in other leagues around the world. However, it will not be permitted for the players who are now under central contracts to play elsewhere.
“It would be amazing if we could include a few Indian players,” Mark Boucher remarked.
Making those kinds of decisions is probably above my pay grade, but I dunno. As far as I’m aware, a large number of Indian players only participate in the Indian Premier League. Perhaps that is a BCCI issue. You are correct, though. The 47-year-old said, “It would be amazing to have some of the best Indian players participating in the South African league.
The addition of Indian players will undoubtedly elevate our league to a new level since, I’m sure, many other nations with domestic leagues would also be eager to have Indian players. However, for whatever reason, as I mentioned, that hasn’t happened. That might happen in the future. I’m not too sure, but we might see one or two players make it through and participate in these leagues. Boucher concluded, “As I mentioned, I believe it’s above my pay grade to answer or ask questions of the BCCI.
If Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni play in the SA20 League, Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers hope so.
Surprisingly, Graeme Smith, the former captain of South Africa and commissioner of the SA20 tournament, had previously put out the intriguing notion of former Indian captain and current captain of the Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni, playing in the highly sought-after tournament. Still active in the IPL, the legend will try to defend his championship in the next IPL in 2024, which is just a few months away. Smith is still confident, though, that he can convince Dhoni to play alongside the homegrown South African cricketers and help them raise the bar.
AB de Villiers, another former Protea captain, also recently voiced support for Virat Kohli finishing his cricket career in the “Rainbow Nation” in a similar manner. Because he leads one of the most well-liked teams globally, Mark Boucher has the advantage of having easy access to the game’s legends. It will be intriguing to watch in the future whether Boucher is able to bring the bizarre concept to life.
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