What is Faf du Plessis ‘afraid’ of Bumrah?
South African cricket legends in Mumbai to promote the fourth season of SA20
(By Our Correspondent)
Mumbai: The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the most popular cricket tournament in the world, but among the newer global T20 leagues, South Africa’s SA20 has been rapidly rising as one of the most exciting competitions. To promote its upcoming fourth season, five South African cricket legends — Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis, Mark Boucher, Hashim Amla, and David Miller — arrived in India.
During the ‘SA20 India Day’ talk show held in Mumbai on Wednesday, all five shared their thoughts on the league. Among them, Faf du Plessis humorously remarked, “I just hope Jasprit Bumrah never comes to play in SA20!”
Even at 41, du Plessis continues to play professional cricket for South Africa. Over his two-decade career, he has featured in 262 international matches, scoring over 11,000 runs, and has represented 32 different teams. In the IPL, he has played for Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune, and currently captains Joburg Super Kings in SA20 — a franchise owned by Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking about the toughest bowlers he has faced, du Plessis placed Bumrah at the very top. “In my view, Bumrah is the toughest bowler in world cricket. I hope he never joins SA20! His bowling action is so unique, and his ability to deliver pinpoint accuracy makes him a nightmare for any top batter,” he said with a smile.
The event was hosted by renowned sports anchor Mayanti Langer, who engaged the stars with fun and insightful questions. Sourav Ganguly, recently appointed head coach of Pretoria Capitals, and Tristan Stubbs of Sunrisers Eastern Cape joined the show via special video messages.
New Season Details: Dates and Star Power
The fourth edition of SA20 will be played from December 26 to January 25.
The six-team tournament has seen Sunrisers Eastern Cape lift the trophy twice, while MI Cape Town won once. Runners-up over the years include Pretoria Capitals, Durban’s Super Giants, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
The league’s star-studded player roster features Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Trent Boult, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, and Ryan Rickelton, among others.
South African Legends and Their SA20 Roles
Graeme Smith – Commissioner, SA20 League
Mark Boucher – South African cricket legend
Faf du Plessis – Captain, Joburg Super Kings
Hashim Amla – Coach, MI Cape Town
David Miller – Captain, Paarl Royals
Tom Moody – Global Director of Cricket, Durban’s Super Giants
Former South African captain Graeme Smith told the media, “India is at the heart of what we do. The IPL franchises have been incredibly supportive — all six SA20 teams are owned by IPL franchise groups.”
Du Plessis added, “It’s amazing to see how many fans in India follow SA20. That’s really encouraging for all of us.”
Mark Boucher remarked, “The bond between India and South Africa goes beyond cricket — it’s also cultural. SA20 has made those ties even stronger.”