CAPE TOWN – Regardless of a pool of 28 West Indian cricketers placing their names ahead, solely Gudakesh Motie and Brandon King emerged from Tuesday’s 2025/26 SA20 public sale with contracts in hand.
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The outcomes underscored the stiff competitors for abroad slots in South Africa’s premier T20 franchise league, which begins its fourth season on December 26, 2025.
Motie and King break by
The highlight first fell on Gudakesh Motie, the artful left-arm spinner who has develop into a dependable determine within the West Indies setup. He was snapped up by the Paarl Royals for R375,000 (US$21,437.41).
Explosive opener Brandon King, recognized for his skill to shift gears on the high of the order, additionally secured his place within the event. He was drafted by the Joburg Tremendous Kings for R200,000 (US$11,435.62).
For the remainder of the Caribbean hopefuls, nonetheless, the public sale flooring yielded solely disappointment.=
Acquainted faces return by pre-signings
Whereas the draft proved lean, West Indian illustration within the SA20 stays important due to earlier acquisitions.
Nicholas Pooran will characteristic for MI Cape City, secured as a pre-signing; The Joburg Tremendous Kings locked in left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein earlier than the public sale; Sherfane Rutherford was added by the Pretoria Capitals in comparable vogue; Veteran all-rounder Sunil Narine was confirmed for Durban’s Tremendous Giants; Energy-hitter Andre Russell can even seem in Capitals’ colours after being named a wild card choice.
Collectively, this core ensures the Caribbean won’t go unrepresented when the league ignites South African stadiums later this yr.
Caribbean stars nonetheless in demand
Although solely two West Indians made the minimize at public sale, the enduring presence of marquee names like Pooran, Narine, and Russell highlights the area’s ongoing worth to the T20 franchise circuit. For Motie and King, their breakthrough displays each their current kind and their skill to fill key tactical roles for his or her franchises.
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