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Retired Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik will be the first from the country to play in SA20. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer will be part of Paarl Royals as an overseas player ahead of the 2025 edition, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday, August 6.
The tournament will also be the first for Karthik since announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket in June 2024. The 39-year-old, who represented India in 180 matches across formats, last played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024. However, he will return to the franchise as their batting coach in the following edition.
Known for his finishing skills, Karthik has played starring roles for the Royal Challengers on multiple occasions. The right-handed batter, who also works as a commentator for Sky Sports, has featured in a staggering 401 T20s, hammering 7407 runs at a strike rate of 136.96. He has also featured in all 17 IPL seasons so far.
Meanwhile, the BCCI only permits retired Indian players to feature in overseas T20 leagues. In 2023, Ambati Rayudu turned up for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), while Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan plied their trade for the Dubai Capitals in IL20. A couple of years ago, Suresh Raina played in the Abu Dhabi T10 League for the Deccan Gladiators.
Paarl Royals squad: David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dinesh Karthik, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dayyaan Galiem (traded in).
Paarl Royals will be without Jos Buttler in SA20 2025
Meanwhile, Paarl Royals will miss the services of star batter Jos Buttler for the 2025 edition as the England white-ball captain has pulled out due to a hectic next few months.
The keeper-batter is currently nursing a calf injury that has kept him out of The Hundred and hopes to be fit in time for the T20I series against Australia at home, beginning on September 11.
SunRisers Eastern Cape will start SA20 2025 as the defending champions.
