Former Indian cricketer and cricket expert Akash Chopra told that in 2023 SA20 Why the first edition was so successful and what fans can expect from SA20 2024.

Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema’s daily sports show ‘#AAKASHVANI’: “I would like to go with AB de Villiers’ prediction that SA20 will soon become the second biggest league after IPL. I think SA20 has got the right direction and content right from the first season. For this you can give credit to Graeme Smith and the South African public.

Fans had gathered even at neutral venues in SA20: Aakash Chopra

Apart from these, the South Africa Cricket Board also deserves congratulations and credit for the importance given to SA20. It was very important to build a connection with the fans in the first season. You watch any match of the first season and stadiums everywhere were packed. Even at neutral venues, fans had gathered. SA20 has filled a gap that has been there in South African cricket for some time.

Read here: “He was playing ODI cricket as if T-20 was going on” – Aakash Chopra said about Rohit Sharma

The second thing that went right with SA20 is that CSA gave priority to this T20 league. Some people have complained that South Africa were not playing a full strength team in the Test series and they suffered defeat in the ODI series. But CSA realized that if they couldn’t provide something interesting, they wouldn’t be able to retain players for long. The SA20 is also known for local talent and the quality of their performances.”

Left-handed players will be the main attraction this time: Aakash Chopra

On expectations from the second edition of SA20, Aakash Chopra said: “The Indian connection, the SA20 teams are owned by IPL franchise owners. Due to this there is an overlap and a connection. The other thing about this league is that it was extremely successful last season, mainly due to the performance of its local players, be it Aiden Markram, Marco Johnson or Kagiso Rabada.

I think this time left-arm spinners will play a major role. There is one left-arm spinner in every team. Keshav Maharaj is actually the captain of his team Durban Super Giants. Bjorn Fortuyn of Paarl Royals is also a good left-handed player. There is something about South African pitches where the fast bowlers perform well and the left-arm spinners too.”