IPL 2023: South Africa players likely to join IPL camps only on April 3 after Netherlands ODIs

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Bengaluru, March 14: With a direct qualification to the 2023 ODI World Cup still hanging in the balance, Cricket South Africa (CSA) wants their star players to be available for their national team assignments.

So, some of the star South Africa players are likely to join their respective Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 camps only after the tournament begins and once they are done with their national commitments.

As for the ODI World Cup, the top eight teams earn a direct qualification. South Africa, who are currently in ninth position in the ODI Super League, will need to beat Netherlands in the two ODIs, scheduled for March 31 and April 2 to take the eighth position currently occupied by West Indies.

South Africa is set to play West Indies also in three ODIs and three T20Is before they host Netherlands, but the ODI series against West Indies is not part of the Super League. Only the Netherlands ODIs fall in the cycle as it's a rescheduled series from 2021 that was postponed due to COVID pandemic.

Some star players from the Proteas team will arrive late for IPL 2023, which is all set to start on March 31 with defending champions Gujarat Titans playing hosts to Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

And as per reports from ESPNcricinfo, CSA has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that it wants all of its big performers to be available for the two-match home ODI series against the Netherlands.

Active South Africa Players in IPL 2023

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen), Delhi Capitals (Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi), Mumbai Indians (Tristan Stubbs), Gujarat Titans (David Miller), Lucknow Super Giants (Quinton de Kock), Punjab Kings (Kagiso Rabada).

Which IPL team will miss SA stars?

GT will miss one of their star performers from last season, David Miller in the tournament opener and possibily their second match against Delhi Capitals on April 4.

DC could miss Anrich Nortje, who may also be injured, along with Lungi Ngidi in their opening two matches, starting with their first match on April 1 against Lucknow Super Giants, who could be without Quinton de Kock, for their opener and second match against CSK on April 3.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, could start their campaign without skipper Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen. SRH will play hosts in their first match on April 2 against Rajasthan Royals.

Mumbai Indians may miss Tristan Stubbs and possibly Dewald Brevis for their opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 2, while Punjab Kings could be without spearhead Kagiso Rabada for their opener against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The only teams that will not be impacted by South Africa players late arrival will be CSK, KKR, RR and RCB. While Kolkata Knight Riders don't have a single South African player in their ranks, RCB, CSK and RR have players who are either retired or not part of the national team plans.

RCB is led by former South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis. CSK has only the recently retired Dwaine Pretorius in their squad, while RR has roped in Donovan Ferreira, who is not part of the Proteas squad as it stands.

How will teams fill SA players void?

Sunrisers Hyderabad could be the most impacted team as they have three South Africa players, including their skipper. So, Mayank Agarwal or Bhuvneshwar Kumar may lead the side with the likes of Harry Brook, Glenn Philipps, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Adil Rashid and Akeal Hosein filling in the overseas slot.

Lucknow Super Giants could use Nicholas Pooran or KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper in the absence of Quinton de Kock and use Manan Vohra as Rahul's opening partner. DC may use Indian pace options to fill the void left by Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi. PBKS could use Nathan Ellis or even an Indian pacer.