South Africa cricket team captain Aiden Markram said the home team hasn’t discussed about Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction in the lead-up to their T20I series against India. The two teams will play a four-match series in South Africa from November 8 to 15 while the mega auction has been scheduled to be held on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Aiden Markram said the IPL mega auction will not be motivation for the players, but that it would be an added bonus if players do well and attract the attention of team owners and scouts. Playing against India, the hosts of the IPL, is also an added advantage for the players.
As many as 91 South Africa players, including captain Aiden Markram, have registered for the IPL 2025 mega auction. Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals) and Heinrich Klaassen (SunRisers Hyderabad) were the only two South African players who were retained ahead of the auction.
“I don’t think it’s the focus. But, as we all know, things like the auction, especially for a big tournament like the IPL, a lot of things can fall into place for players,” Markram said while addressing a press conference in Durban ahead of the first T20I.
South Africa vs India, T20I series: All You Need To Know
“We are fortunate to be playing a series against them, pretty much just before the auction. It happens so. That would pretty much be the bonus of doing well, firstly, collectively, and then for the individuals to put their hands up. I don’t think it’s the motivation to do well, but I think it’s a bonus that potentially could follow. But, in the camp, I don’t think there have been any discussions along those lines. But if guys put their hands up, and do well, it leads to more, I will certainly be really chuffed for them,” he added.
REVENGE FOR T20 WORLD CUP FINAL?
India and South Africa will meet for the first time since the T20 World Cup final in Barbados in June. The build-up to the series has been around ‘revenge’, but Markram played it down, saying the team hasn’t discussed anything on those lines.
Seven players from each team who will be involved in the T20I series were part of the T20 World Cup final that India won, beating South Africa in a last-over thriller.
“The same countries, I guess. But, like you mentioned, the personnel has changed for both teams. It’s always an exciting series when you play against India, at home. That’s a series we have always look forward to. We haven’t addressed anything about it being a revenge match or things like that. A lot of talk and promotions have happened through that lens, which is also something that I completely understand,” he added.
SOUTH AFRICA VS INDIA SQUADS
India full squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal.
South Africa full squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Patrick Kruger, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Mihlali Mpongwana, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Tristan Stubbs, Lutho Sipamla.
