Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers, popularly known as Mr.360, expressed that he thinks Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) SA20 league will have the same impact on cricketers’ lives as the Indian Premier League (IPL) has over the years.
On January 10, 2023, SA20’s inaugural season begins. Six teams will play in the league.
One of the most successful overseas run scorers in IPL history, De Villiers began his career with the Delhi Daredevils in 2008 after being purchased for INR 11 crore at that year’s auction. Then during his IPL career, he represented the RCB side from 2011-2021 in 157 matches.
Good time for South African cricket
The legendary Proteas batsman, who has competed in the IPL since it began in 2008, thinks the SA20 arrives at a really excellent time for South African cricket and hopes the T20 league will provide the future players a base and the foundation to obtain exposure at the top level.
“I think the SA20 comes at a really good time for South African cricket. We have seen the amazing things that these leagues have done to cricket in particular nations. To give our youngsters this base and the foundation to get exposure at the highest level against the best players in the world is what it’s all about,” the former batter said.
Close eye on Dewald Brevis
Dewald Brevis, a rising star at the plate for MI Cape Town, is one of the young players who De Villiers will be closely monitoring. Brevis continued his stellar play after the U19 World Cup into the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, and most notably Cricket South Africa’s T20 Challenge competition, where he hammered 162 off just 57 balls.
De Villiers thinks that Dewald Brevis’ development will continue to advance as he competes for MI Cape Town in the SA20 alongside Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone, much as he did when he initially entered the IPL in 2008 and learned from legends like Australia’s Glenn McGrath.
The legendary batter further said, “It was a huge occasion for me and a lot of the other players. The start of the IPL changed our lives. The people are really passionate about cricket. Not only with the home team but they support members in other teams as well.”
He continued, “The biggest thing that stands out for me are the people that I met. I think of Glenn McGrath and the time I spent with him. He was this hard guy and all of a sudden I am sitting with him in the changeroom and having a beer with him.”
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