SA20: "What It’s Done In 15 Years Is Mental, It’s Brilliant" - Graeme Smith Admits No Competition Can Rival IPL

Graeme Smith, the legendary South African captain, acknowledged that no franchise cricket league in the world can match with the Indian Premier League. Smith has been named commissioner for SA20, South Africa’s first franchise league tournament.

The Indian Premier League’s ascent has been tremendous since its start, and it has established a great precedent for other countries’ leagues that is tough to match. 

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Interestingly, the SA20 league has a tight relationship with the IPL, but not directly, as six clubs are owned by Indian Premier League franchise owners: Durban’s Super Giants, Jo’burg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape. 

We Never Get Rival With IPL: Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith, who has played and commentated in the IPL, believes the cash-rich league’s ascent in India is mental, and that no other franchise event can compete with it at the present. 

“We never get rival with IPL. Let’s just put that out there I think no one’s going to compete with that. I mean what it’s done in 15 years is mental, it’s brilliant. And having been a part of it as a player and on the media side I love being there It’s incredible for the game and how it’s changed people’s lives as well.

I’ll never forget that first auction I think I was on tour in Bangladesh. When it unfolded no one knew what to expect arriving here and that final, trying to get into that state of it, it was incredible,” Smith told CricketNext during an interaction with K Srinivas Rao and Shivani Gupta. 

We Have An Opportunity In South Africa: Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith believes that the time zones and cricketing culture will aid SA20 in reviving South African cricket, which has struggled in recent years. 

“I truly believe that we have an opportunity in South Africa. We put on time zones, the cricketing culture, the fan base that’s what needing to be revived that loves the game. The natural talent that we produce and lucky to produce.

I think we have an opportunity with the type of partners that we’ve attracted to really build the biggest league outside India. I think we truly have that opportunity and it’s in our hands an hopefully people will tune in and enjoy it,” Graeme Smith added. 

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