Robin Uthappa Praises SA20 as Second-Best T20 League After IPL
Uthappa's Insights on SA20
Durban [South Africa], January 9: Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, currently in South Africa for his commentary role during the ongoing fourth season of SA20, has expressed high regard for the South African T20 league, labeling it as the "second-best" after India's IPL.
Uthappa emphasized that the SA20 league is pivotal for enhancing South Africa's presence in the international cricket arena.
While addressing the media in Durban, Uthappa commended the SA20 for its vibrant atmosphere and top-notch cricket, asserting its status as the second-best T20 league following the IPL. He noted that the tournament is instrumental in bolstering South African cricket, especially in light of the national team's recent impressive performances, including a clean sweep against India in a two-match Test series.
He also pointed out the wealth of young talent emerging in South Africa, specifically mentioning 18-year-old fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena from Paarl Royals and batter Jordan Hermann from Sunrisers Eastern Cape as promising future stars likely to catch the eye of IPL scouts.
Mokoena currently ranks sixth among the leading wicket-takers in the SA20 2026 season, having claimed eight wickets in five matches with an impressive average of 20. Meanwhile, Hermann stands fifth in the run-scorers list with 146 runs in just three innings, boasting an exceptional average of 73.
"I genuinely enjoy this tournament. In terms of atmosphere and cricket quality, I believe it ranks as the second-best league after the IPL. South African cricket is on the rise, as evidenced by their performances in World Championship and ICC tournaments, as well as their recent play in India," Uthappa remarked.
He further added, "There’s a wealth of talent here, including Mokoena, an 18-year-old fast bowler for Paarl Royals, and Jordan Hermann from Sunrisers. These are players that IPL scouts will undoubtedly be watching closely, as they represent the future of cricket. You will see them on the world stage soon."
Uthappa noted that while the SA20 may not have been the best preparation for the World Cup five to seven years ago, the current playing conditions are now more aligned with what is expected at the global event. He observed that traditionally fast and bouncy pitches like those in Durban have become more balanced, making the league a solid platform for World Cup readiness.
Consequently, he believes that South Africa and its players participating in the SA20 could excel at the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup due to the similarities in playing conditions.
"If you had asked me this five or seven years ago, I would have said it was decent preparation but not ideal. However, given the current conditions, Durban, known for its pace and bounce, has changed. It’s more balanced now, which is beneficial for World Cup preparation. I wouldn’t be surprised if South Africa and some players from this league perform exceptionally well in the World Cup, as the conditions are quite similar right now," Uthappa concluded.