Mark Boucher on Rohit Sharma’s possible participation in SA20 League. “They’d love to have Indian players in their leagues as well. ” But, as I previously stated, it has not occurred for whatever reason. ” Says Boucher.
With the introduction of T20 cricket, some of the game’s legends moved around the world to play in various leagues. This eventually led to the sharing of great camaraderie among players from various countries gathered on a single platform. As a result, many cricketers have become friends and are eager to play in each other’s home leagues.
Though the concept is not far from becoming a reality. The attitude of Indian players competing in T20 leagues other than the Indian Premier League (IPL) has remained unchanged. The main reason for this has been the BCCI tough stance on allowing Indian players to play in renowned leagues such as the Big Bash League (BBL) and South Africa’s newly successful SA20 league. Mark Boucher, the current Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach and former Proteas wicketkeeper-batter. Asked about the possibility of Rohit Sharma playing in his country’s league in the future.
The question was thrown at him during a media interaction in which he was virtually present
Notably, during the event, Mark Boucher was asked about Team India and former MI captain Rohit Sharma. Possibly playing in the SA20 league after he bids farewell to international cricket. Possibly retires from the IPL alongside Virat Kohli. Boucher respond that, while the idea appealing to him given that IPL franchise owners have stakes in the SA20 league. The possibility of Rohit and Co. playing in the tournament cannot be completely ruled out.
However, he made it abundantly clear that these issues are directly relate to the BCCI. That he cannot answer them with certainty. Notably, players who have already retire from international cricket and the IPL may be grant a NOC to compete in other leagues around the world. According to the Indian board’s policy. However, the currently centrally contract players, in particular, will not permit to play elsewhere. “I think it would be incredible if we could get some of the Indian players involved,” Boucher said.
“I’m not sure, I think it’s probably above my pay grade to make those decisions. ” I know that many Indian players do not play in any other leagues around the world besides the IPL. Maybe it’s a BCCI thing. But you are correct. “It would be fantastic to see some of India’s best players play in the South African league,” the 47-year-old added.
“It would definitely boost our league to a different level. As I’m sure there might be a lot of other countries that have got their own home leagues that they would love Indian guys to play in their leagues as well. But as I said, it hasn’t happened for whatever reason. 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,” Boucher concluded.
Also Visit: BCB President Nazmul Hasan set to resign
Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers are hoping to see MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli play in the SA20 League
Interestingly, the SA20 League’s commissioner, former South African captain Graeme Smith, once proposed the intriguing idea of former India and current Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni playing in the coveted league. The legend, however, is still playing in the IPL and will look to defend his title in the upcoming IPL 2024, which is just a few months away. Despite this, Smith remains optimistic that he can persuade Dhoni to help raise the standard of domestic South African cricketers by playing alongside them.
In the same vein, another former Proteas captain, AB de Villiers, recently chimed in and backed the idea of Virat Kohli playing his final phases of cricket on the ‘Rainbow Nation’s’ soil. As a result, Mark Boucher, as the head coach of one of the most popular teams in the world, has the advantage of easily approaching the game’s legends. It will be interesting to see if Boucher can turn the bizarre idea into a reality in the future.
Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana set to play Sourav Ganguly in cricketer’s biopic