The top South African players have left the South African side after the first two ODIs against Pakistan due to joining their IPL franchises. South Africa head coach Mark Boucher feels that the players’ exposure in the IPL will only help them later when they play the T20 World Cup in India.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is arguably the best T20 competition going around in world cricket. And almost every cricket board in the world has acknowledged the fact. Moreover, there are agreements between BCCI and various boards on the IPL and the scheduling of their respective matches.
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc and the scheduling going all over the place, the IPL and a few international matches were always bound overlaps. South Africa have an ongoing white-ball series against Pakistan, which comprises three ODIs and four T20Is.
However, Cricket South Africa have released their players who are participating in the IPL, and those players have left the South African team after the second ODI and will miss the remainder of the series.
South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher opined that there are pros and cons of the players missing the series. However, he felt that it may well work out in South Africa’s favour as the players will be playing the best T20 league and India, which is the venue for the T20 World Cup later in the year. That experience will only help the Proteas in the showpiece event.
I think their appearances in the IPL going into the World T20 will help us. Playing in a good strong competition against top strong opposition who they are likely to face in the World T20 they are going to get first-hand information about the different venues, opposition we expect to meet up in the World event. Look at it positively they are not going on holidays and it also gives us an opportunity to have a lookout over other guys in the fray,
he was quoted saying during a virtual press conference.
Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings), Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje (both Delhi Capitals) have left the South African team after the second ODI. They will undergo their mandatory seven-day quarantine before they join their respective sides. Hence, all of these South African stars will miss the opening game of their respective sides.
