South Africa New T20 League SA20, Commissioner Graeme Smith promised Indian fans an action-filled, world-class league with their broadcast partners Viacom18 Sports.
The league is set to start from January 10, 2023 with the opening game playing between MI Capetown and Paarl Royals.
Viacom18 Sports signed a deal with SA20 as broadcasting partners.
“The goal of SA20 is to get South Africa cricket back to the place we all know it belongs – competing with India, competing with the likes of England and Australia and keeping the international game strong,” said SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith at an event with Viacom18 Sports in Mumbai.
He added, “We have that opportunity now through the partners we have been able to attract – the six teams, we are going to put sixty to eighty of South African players on the map and bring that fandom to India and the new heroes will come to the IPL and play for South Africa all around the world – that’s out goal. We want to build something vibrant and be able to build the biggest league outside India is something that we would really love to achieve.”
The six teams in SA20, Durban’s Super Giants, Jo’burg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, are owned by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners.
“SA20 is primed to become one of the most popular T20 leagues in the world,” said Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil Jayaraj at an event celebrating the partnership. “At prime-time in India, the cricket loving audience will watch South Africa’s most revered players along with global superstars and our presentation will match the energy and excitement that will come with it.”
