Former South African international cricketer AB De Villiers has hailed the progress of South Africa T20 League and its impact in the country in terms of popularity and growth in cricket. The former Royal Challengers Bangalore star batsman said the following via his post on Instagram on January 8.
"SAT20 will soon become the second biggest league after the IPL. Well, let me tell you, it's the second best paid league in the world after the IPL. The players earn the most money in this tournament anywhere else in the world, except IPL, so that already is huge," said De Villiers via his video posted on Instagram.
He also hailed the impact of former players like Greame Smith in promotion of the league and making it huge, also adding the impact of Indian owners and the wealth invested by them. He also stated that attracting big stars will bring in youngsters who want to see players like Jofra Archer bowl at 150 kmph.
The Mr. 360 degree batsman has retired from all forms of cricket and had announced his retirement from international cricket in 2018. AB De Villiers has remained a legend of the sport and comes under the rarest club of cricketers who have, throughtout their career, remained a fan favourite and a player with 'zero haters'. His unorthdox style of batting, exceptional and world-class fielding, and overall ability has dazzled millions of cricket fans for more than a decade.
The South African has represented Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bangalore throughout his glorious career and last played in Indian Premier League in IPL 2021, where he scored 313 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 148.34 before the announcement of his retirement in November 2021.