New Delhi: Many South African players will be missing the initial phase of the Indian Premier League due to the series against the Netherlands. The tournament begins on March 31 but the South African players will be joining from April 3 onwards. This includes big names like Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje and David Miller.
As per the report by ESPNcricinfo, Cricket South Africa (CSA) informed the BCCI about its top players playing in the two-match home ODI series against the Netherlands. The series is crucial as South Africa is currently ranked at the 9th spot in the ODI Super League and needs to win the series to get a step closer to qualifying for the World Cup 2023.
The two games are scheduled to be held on March 31 and April 2, so the players will be joining their respective IPL teams on April 3.
List of South African players joining the tournament late:
- Aiden Markram (SRH)
- Heinrich Klaasen (SRH)
- Marco Jansen (SRH)
- Anrich Nortje (DC)
- Lungi Ngidi (DC)
- Tristan Stubbs (MI)
- Dewald Brevis- possibly (MI)
- David Miller (GT)
- Quinton de Kock (LSG)
- Kagiso Rabada (PK)
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals are likely to be the most affected teams. SRH announced Markram as their new captain and now they will be playing the initial games without him.
Man with the plan ?#OrangeArmy | @AidzMarkram pic.twitter.com/I1MgDCSBBb
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 4, 2023
Last March also the South African players faced a similar situation as they had a Test series against Bangladesh. CSA had then asked the players to take the call and they chose to be fully available for the IPL. However, this time CSA wants to field the best team as the World Cup qualification is a big deal.
