IPL 2021 – Cricket South Africa in correction: In another classic case of BCCI power and Indian Premier League (IPL) benefits in the cricket world, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has released its top players for IPL 2021. Kagiso Rabada (Capitals of Delhi), Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), Lungi Ngidi (CSK), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals) and Anrich Nortje (Delhi Capitals) were all supposed to be part of the Proteas T20 squad for the series against Pakistan, but due to pressure from BCCI and players, the CSA released all of their players for IPL 2021.
“According to an agreement between the ASC and the BCCI, players who have obtained IPL contracts will be released early to join their respective teams.”, the ASC statement said.
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The case has not gone well with the South African cricket fraternity that it is a case of board of directors and players giving preference to IPL 2021 over national duty. Of the 10 South Africans who are due to play at IPL 2021, five are part of the ODI squad that will precede the T20I. The five are not part of the T20I squad as this rubber is poised to conflict with the IPL.
A South Africa v Pakistan series of three ODIs and four T20Is will take place from April 2 to 16. Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller and Anrich Nortje who would all have been obvious selections in the T20I squad were not named in the T20 South Africa squad.
The South African ODI team:Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (sem), Beuran Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jon-Jon Smuts , Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Williams.
The South African T20 team:Temba Bavuma (C), Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne (wkeljon) ,ius Lizaad Williams, Wihan Lubbe.
IPL 2021: the CSA also ignores Chennai Super Kings Faf Du Plessis for the Proteas team
In another great development, ASC also decided to ignore former captain Faf Du Plessis for both teams for the same reason. Du Plessis will play another 2021 IPL season for Chennai Super Kings and has been skipped for selection in one of the Proteas squads that face Pakistan. Previously, ASC had also omitted Du Plessis from the list of contracted players as he was only inclined to play in the T20 world leagues.
Temba Bavuma will lead Proteas in both white ball rounds against Pakistan for the first time.