Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings Interested To Buy Franchise In South Africa's New T20 League

Four IPL franchises – Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) – and a consortium led by cricketer-turned commentator Kevin Pietersen have reportedly shown interest in purchasing teams in South Africa’s new T20 league.

This would be Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) third attempt to launch a T20 league after they failed on the previous two occasions. The Global League T20 was scheduled to take place in November 2017 but it was deferred by a year because of a lack of broadcasters, title sponsor and appropriate planning.

The T20 league was replaced by Mzansi Super League (MSL) comprising six CSA-owned teams. The MSL  was played in 2018 & 2019 but couldn’t take place for the next two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.

CSA aims to create second best T20 tournament after IPL

According to a document shared at a special meeting of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Members’ Council, CSA is aiming to create the “second best T20 league in the world” after the IPL.

The document acknowledges that only the IPL has enjoyed “runaway success” and that there is a “clear gap” between India’s T20 league and the others, which leaves CSA with no choice but to focus on being second-best in the T20 tournament stakes, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.

South Africa’s new T20 tournament’s estimated cost

Sundar Raman, who was the former chief operating officer (COO) of the IPL, has acquired a 12.5% share of the tournament with the CSA holding the majority share of 57 % and broadcaster SuperSport owning the remaining 30%.

According to ESPNCricinfo report, CSA estimated the league will cost it USD 56 million over 10 years and will make revenues of USD 30 million in the same period. It is expected that SuperSport will pay USD 89 million which will allow CSA and the franchises to split the profit 50-50 for the first decade.

CSA’s T20 tournament is scheduled to be held in January 2023 and just like the MSL – the league will include six teams (privately owned this time) and will play each opponent twice – home and away to complete 30 group stage fixtures before the playoffs.

Also Read: Cricket South Africa Signs New Agreement With SuperSport To Launch New T20 Tournament