7 players set to make their SA20 debut in 2026 edition; Russell, Narine on the list
7 players set to make their SA20 debut in 2026 edition; Russell, Narine on the list
The six SA20 franchises announced their retentions and pre-auction signings before the September 9 auction, with several first-timers set to take part in the competition, including legends in the format. Take a look at the list of players who will make their SA20 debut in the 2025-26 edition.
Andre Russell, the 37-year-old West Indies all-rounder, who just bid international cricket goodbye on Tuesday, will be involved with a different franchise with an IPL owner than Kolkata Knight Riders after more than a decade. Having players for Knight Riders' franchises in the CPL, MLC and ILT20, Russell will be entering the Capitals' universe after being signed as a wildcard pick by Pretoria Capitals.
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Similarly, Sunil Narine will also depart from the Knight Riders universe for the first time after being picked by the Durban's Super Giants pre-auction. Narine will join the likes of Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad and Heinrich Klaasen at the Super Giants. With ILT20 moving to the Dec first week to Jan first week window, several ILT20 regulars will play SA20 for the first time.
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Sherfane Rutherford, a Big Bash League regular, wasn't picked the draft this time around but was snapped by the Pretoria Capitals even before the auction and like Russell, will enter the Capitals Universe for the first time. However, Russell did play in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils in 2013.
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Allah Ghazanfar, who returned to competitive cricket during the Vitality Blast after a long injury layoff, was signed by the two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, alongside the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen
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Adam Milne, another BBL regular, will take part in the SA20 for the first time, joining Ghazanfar, Bairstow, Stubbs and Jansen at Eastern Cape.
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Akeal Hosein, after a successful stint with the Super Kings franchise in the MLC at Texas, wasn't picked in the BBL draft and hence will join Joburg for his maiden SA20 stint, reuniting with Faf du Plessis and Donovan Ferreira
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James Vince, the T20 veteran and the captain of the Gulf Giants in the ILT20, will also join the Super Kings in the SA20 after his stint in the UAE.
