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Vernon Philander names three Indian players he wishes were part of SA20 tournament

Vernon Philander names three Indian cricket stars he wants to see taking part in the SA20 league following Dinesh Karthik's footsteps in the coming few years.

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Vernon Philander names three Indian cricket players he wants to see take part in SA20 league

SA20 league (Photograph: X)

Former South African pacer Vernon Philander has picked the names of three Indian cricketers who he wished were part of the SA20 league. The third season of the league comes to a close this weekend with MI Cape Town already making the finals. Each of the six sides are being owned by IPL franchises. 

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Philander while speaking to the media during the first qualifier match on Tuesday said, “Yeah, I think Suryakumar would be right up there. Jasprit Bumrah, without a shadow of a doubt. His skill set on these kinds of wickets would be phenomenal to watch in action.”

The former South African star also went onto add, “And then I think you want to see a guy like Kohli. I think, he’s built a massive name for himself over the last decade or so. And I think he’d be a wonderful attribute to the advert of SA20."

Vernon Philander praises Dinesh Karthik’s role in promoting SA20 league

Former Indian star Dinesh Karthik made his SA20 debut this year for Paarl Royals. The 39-year-old scored a splendid fifty during one of the league matches to help his side reach the playoffs. Speaking about Karthik’s impact in the league, Philander said, “Dinesh Karthik, he’s a wonderful athlete, he’s a wonderful professional. It’s great to have him over here.”

South Africa’s former pacer also praised the IPL and said, “The IPL has set the standard. I think that’s the bar. If you ask guys playing in the SA20, they’d say SA20 is probably number two to the IPL. So, it’d be wonderful to have some of those Indian players."

Philander also said that it was a great chance for youngsters to rub shoulders with the likes of Karthik and hopefully get a chance in the IPL. “I think a lot of these youngsters, like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, in years to come, might end up in one of these IPL teams. And you’d have learned a great deal and would have had great insight up front, learning from a guy like Dinesh Karthik, being in the same changing room as him."

During his chat with the media, Philander hoped more Indian players would follow Karthik’s lead and play in the league. He said, “I’m sure, you know, having Indian players would sell-out crowds in South Africa because as much as we love our own cricket, we also love Indian cricket, and we love the IPL."

Dinesh Karthik SA20
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