South African fast-bowling legend Allan Donald has recently voiced his admiration for Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, expressing his desire to see them participate in the SA20 league. Donald, an ambassador for the SA20, believes their presence would significantly elevate the league's profile and attract a wider audience.
Donald's comments came during a media interaction where he discussed the upcoming season of the SA20, scheduled from January 9 to February 8, 2025. When asked which Indian cricketers he would like to see in the competition, he didn't hesitate to name Kohli and Bumrah. "Oh my gosh, that's a--where do I start? Where do I start getting a player from there? My goodness me, jeez. If I'm a batter, I'm Virat Kohli all over there. If it's a bowler, 100 percent Bumrah. 100 percent," Donald said. He emphasized the transformative impact these Indian stars could have on the SA20 league.
However, the participation of Indian players in foreign leagues is a complex issue due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations. Currently, the BCCI doesn't allow active Indian players to participate in overseas leagues, a rule designed to protect the integrity and prominence of Indian cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL). To play in a league like SA20, Indian players would need to retire from all forms of Indian cricket, including the IPL.
Despite the challenges, Donald remains hopeful. He lauded the growing influence of Indian cricketers and the IPL on SA20. He also acknowledged Dinesh Karthik's participation in the upcoming SA20 season, noting the positive impact it has on young cricketers and the league's overall stature. "It really is incredible to have an absolute Indian legend join us," Donald said about Karthik. "Having him around will be fantastic and will mean so much to young cricketers, without a doubt,".
Beyond his hopes for SA20, Donald has previously expressed his admiration for Kohli's talent and work ethic. In 2013, he compared Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, praising his "responsible" century in a Test match. More recently, in 2022, he likened bowling to Kohli to bowling to Tendulkar, highlighting the significance of dismissing him early in an innings.
Donald isn't alone in recognizing Kohli's importance to world cricket. Kohli, who hasn't scored a century in international cricket since 2019, remains one of the most popular and influential cricketers globally. His presence in any league would undoubtedly generate significant interest and excitement.
While the prospect of Kohli and Bumrah playing in the SA20 remains a distant possibility due to the BCCI's regulations, Allan Donald's comments underscore the high regard in which these Indian stars are held and the potential impact they could have on global cricket leagues.
