Johannesburg 1st, September : Faf du Plessis on Thursday was named the captain of Johannesburg Super Kings in the SA20 league, which will begin in January next year.The franchise is controlled by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) which also manage Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) they also have Stephen Fleming on board as the head coach.
He also revealed the official logo of the team.
Du Plessis, the former South Africa captain, had been selected by CSK as one of the five direct signings with Moeen Ali, Maheesh Theekshana (both of them played for CSK in IPL 2022), Romario Shepherd and uncapped fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.
Du Plessis played 100 matches for Chennai Super Kings, first between 2011 and 2015, later from 2018 to 2021.”I have been extremely fortunate and long-lasting relationship with Chennai.When the chance came along for me to play again, I was very satisfied with the opportunity.I believe it will become (the SA20 league) incredibly vital to the future of South African cricket.I’ve seen firsthand the impact league cricket can make an impact on the country’s cricket.”
“Certainly have been engaged with the IPL for the past 10-11 years.You can see the difference it brings to the younger generation as well as the new players, particularly in the Indian cricket team as well as the environment.This knowledge and experience you have to transfer with your young players in your country, I believe that’s crucial to the development of the team of your national.
The way they’ve set the league is now looking like it’s going be one of the biggest leagues around the world,” said du Plessis on his return to the team with CSK brand in SA20 league as the captain of Johannesburg Super Kings.
Du Plessis further paid tribute to the influence of different leadership figures in his time with South Africa and then at the CSK camp under Fleming and MS Dhoni.”I’ve been fortunate as a player as well as captain to have excellent coaches in my playing career.Beginning with Graeme (Smith) before shifting to AB de Villiers, then shifting my focus to Chennai Super Kings, where Stephen Fleming was really influential at the start of my journey as a leader.”
“To spend time with MS Dhoni, to just observe and watch precisely what he does both on and off the field.I’m extremely thankful for the lessons I’ve learned from of the best athletes and coaches in the sport.When it comes to the subject of the leadership aspect, MS Dhoni has done the best job.He’s the perfect person to take lessons from.”
Fleming is CSK’s head coach since 2009, after playing for CSK in the inaugural IPL 2008 season.”My most recent memory of being with the Wanderers was with Chennai (Super Kings) and winning the Champions League.I’ll always remember it fondly, it’s a fantastic stadium.The first thing I can remember is the support we received by way of South Africa, which was surprising for everyone of us.”
“It simply shows the enthusiasm of fans of South African cricket fans to play good cricket and we love to create this.We’re hoping to receive good help from Johannesburg and all over the country.This is a large aspect of the reason Chennai is all about,” said Fleming.
SA20 is the third time South Africa would be attempting to establish an franchise T20 league in the country.In the previous attempts, the plan to establish Global League T20 failed to take place in 2017.
Its successor is the Mzansi Super League was held in 2018 and 2019 , but did not receive the huge broadcast rights with the broadcasting company, free to air South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) receiving broadcast rights at a lower amount.
The league hasn’t since the year 2020 because of the Covid-19 and will become the SA20.
“We have been searching for opportunities for the last few years to enter outside franchise cricket.
The Cricket South Africa league offers a excellent opportunity.When they first announced the league, we were interested due to of the fact that we’ve always had an excellent relation with Cricket South Africa and as well as the fact that we have a strong fan base in South Africa,” said K.S.Viswanathan CSKCL’s CEO.of CSKCL.
Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith who is the League Commissioner of SA20 He was thrilled by the prospect of CSK joining the SA20 bandwagon and the du Plessis-Fleming team being reunited.
“We are extremely happy that we’ve been able to bring people with the same values of the Super Kings into South Africa.They are an incredible franchise with an enormous fan base and the kind of people you have in your life with whom you can create an enduring future with.From our perspective, we are extremely excited and are looking forward to the new year (2023) and we are aware of plenty of work being done at the back of the scene.”
“Cricket South Africa has made an investment in this tournament, and has cleared the ICC window for 10 years.We are thrilled about the potential that this tournament is going to bring to our sport in South Africa.”
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