'Would be fantastic to see top Indian players in South Africa T20 League': Mark Boucher

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prohibits active Indian players from taking part in T20 leagues overseas. There were speculations last year about Indian players joining South Africa’s SA20 T20 league, considering that IPL teams owned the franchises. Several players, including MS Dhoni, were rumoured to be associated with the tournament. However, the BCCI soon dismissed the rumours ahead of the inaugural season of SA20 in 2023.

According to the rules, once an Indian player retires from all forms of cricket, including the IPL, they become eligible to participate in overseas leagues. Graeme Smith, the commissioner of the SA20 league, however, still believes that Dhoni could take part in SAT20 after his IPL days. Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers also expressed a desire for Virat Kohli to end his career in South Africa by participating in his final season there.

Mark Boucher, the head coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL, is also speculated to have attempted to convince players like Rohit Sharma to play in the SA20 in the future.

Boucher, responding to a query from Hindustan Times, said that convincing players is beyond his authority. He also said that Indian players joining the South African league would elevate its status.

“I know that a lot of the Indian players don’t play in any of the leagues around the world other than the IPL. So maybe that’s a BCCI thing. But yes, you’re right. It would be fantastic to see some of the top Indian players playing in the South African league,” Boucher said.

“It may be maybe in the future. We might see one or two players coming through and playing in these leagues but yeah, I’m not too sure. As I said, I think it’s above my pay grade to answer or ask questions of the BCCI,” he went on to add.

Boucher also spoke about the possibility of India hosting SA20 in the future, drawing a parallel with the IPL being held in South Africa in 2009 owing to scheduling conflicts with the general elections in India. He, however, acknowledged logistical challenges, but called the idea “great” and emphasised the strong relationship between both the cricketing nations.