Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa has made a bold claim about the burgeoning SA20 league, placing it just behind the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of atmosphere and cricket quality. Speaking in Durban on January 8, Uthappa asserted that the tournament is poised to revolutionise South African cricket by providing a steady pipeline of young talent that is already catching the eye of global scouts, including those from the IPL.
SA20: A Fertile Ground for Future Stars
Uthappa, who is in South Africa as a commentator for the league, highlighted several exciting prospects unearthed by the SA20. He specifically mentioned batters like the Hermann brothers, Rubin and Jordan, along with promising pacers Kwena Maphaka and Nqobani Mokoena. These players have already represented South Africa at various junior levels over the past four years.
"I reckon as far as atmosphere and quality of cricket are concerned, it's the second-best league after the IPL. You will see South African cricket thriving," Uthappa told a select group of media persons. He linked the national team's recent strong performances in ICC events and during their tour of India directly to the talent emerging from this domestic structure.
IPL Scouts on High Alert
The former cricketer turned analyst believes the league's brightest talents will be in high demand across the world's premier T20 competitions. He pointed out players like 18-year-old fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena of Paarl Royals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape's Jordan Hermann as names to watch.
"I think these are talents that even the IPL scouts will keep their eyes on because these are players for the future. You will see them playing in world cricket very, very soon," Uthappa added. He emphasised that the SA20 has successfully sparked genuine interest in India, cricket's largest market, thanks to its high-intensity cricket that fits perfectly into Indian prime-time viewing slots.
Room to Grow Alongside a Global Audience
Uthappa urged patience, drawing a parallel with the IPL's own journey to maturity. "IPL became IPL maybe after the fourth or fifth season. You have to give tournaments and leagues that length of time and the space to mature into what it can actually become," he noted.
He explained that the SA20's scheduling is strategically aligned with global viewership patterns, particularly India's, which accounts for 60-70 per cent of cricket's global audience. With an estimated 2.25 billion cricket fans worldwide, Uthappa is confident there is ample appetite for multiple high-quality tournaments, and the SA20 is firmly positioning itself as a major player in that ecosystem.
"I think this league will thrive over a period of time, and viewers have the patience and the wherewithal to see a league like this thrive," Uthappa concluded, expressing strong optimism for the league's future impact on the sport.
