T20 Global League: Knight Riders, Daredevils buy sides
Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and Delhi Daredevils owners GMR have bought franchises in the CSA’s eight-team T20 Global League. Both Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises said the initiative was part of their global plans.
GMR’s team will be based in Johannesburg while South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will be its marquee player. Shah Rukh’s franchise will be based in Cape Town with left-handed batsman JP Duminy as the marquee player. The name of the team will be Cape Town Knight Riders.
KKR’S GLOBAL PLANS
After having acquired the Cape Town franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders’ CEO Venky Mysore said: “This initiative is part of our global plans, from Kolkata to Trinidad and now Cape Town.”
Kolkata Knight Riders Mysore added that they are happy to have the experienced JP Duminy as marquee player. “Great to have JP Duminy but there is no guarantee that he will play for us in IPL next year. The dynamics of every league is different,” Mysore said.
Hemant Dua of GMR, owners of Johannesburg franchise, said: “This is part of our global strategy. DD has several South African players and Kagiso Rabada will take the journey forward for us in global T20.”
The player draft is scheduled for August 19 with almost 400 players from 10 countries confirming their interest.
“Competition was stiff, with more than 150 Expressions of Interest (EOI) received from around the world and a shortlist of heavy hitters to consider, but after rigorous discussions and engagement with each of the potential owners, we are certain that our final eight owners have the perfect combination” added CSA president Chris Nenzani.