On Thursday, September 1, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, which has acquired a Johannesburg-based side in the SA20 League, unveiled the squad’s name, logo, captain, and coach. The announcement was made during a Q&A with Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of CSKCL, Graeme Smith, League Commissioner SA20, Faf du Plessis, captain of the Johannesburg Super Kings, Stephen Fleming, head coach of the Johannesburg Super Kings, and Jono Leaf-Wright, CEO of The Wanderers. Veteran broadcaster Mark Nicholas served as the moderator.
Kasi Viswanathan, said: “We have been looking for opportunities for the past few years to get into outside franchise cricket. Cricket South Africa’s league is a very good opportunity. When they launched the league, we were very keen because of the fact that we have always had a good relationship with Cricket South Africa and also the fact that we enjoy a very good support base in South Africa.”
Graeme Smith, League Commissioner SA20, said: “We are very excited that we have been able to attract the likes of the Super Kings into South Africa. I mean they are an amazing franchise with a huge fanbase and the type of people you know with whom we can build a sustainable future with.
“So, from our perspective we are very excited and we are looking forward to January (2023) and there is a lot of work that is taking place behind the scenes…Cricket South Africa has made a long-term commitment into this tournament…cleared the ICC window for 10 years now…So, we are very excited about the opportunity that this league is going to bring to our game in South Africa.”
Faf du Plessis, captain of the Joburg Super Kings, said: “I have an extremely lucky and long relationship with Chennai. When the opportunity presented itself again, I was extremely happy with that. I think it’s going to be (the SA20 league) incredibly crucial for the sustainability of South African cricket. I’ve almost been seeing first hand the difference that league cricket can have an impact on a country’s cricket.
Stephen Fleming, coach of the Joburg Super Kings, said: “My last memory of being at the Wanderers was with Chennai (Super Kings), winning the Champions League. I remember it very fondly, it’s a wonderful ground. First thing I remember was the support that we got through South Africa, which was a surprise for all of us.
“It just shows the passion of the South African cricket fans to follow good cricket and we like to produce that. We’re really hoping we can get good support from Johannesburg and around the country. That’s a big part of what Chennai is about.”
