'If there's an opportunity, I would definitely be reaching out to MS Dhoni': Graeme Smith opens the door for MSD in SA20

Graeme Smith, when asked by Hindustan Times, admitted that despite the BCCI rule remains hopeful of MS Dhoni's association with the league in the near future and has opened the door for his arrival as well.

Updated on: Jan 20, 2023, 17:26:38 IST

By Aratrick Mondal, New Delhi

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Graeme Smith, Commissioner of Cricket South Africa’s new league - SA20 had made it clear before the start of the season last month that the participation of Indian players in the league is "BCCI's prerogative". Despite overseas cricket boards allowing their players to participate in leagues across the world, the Indian counterpart has maintained a strict 'no' for their players. Only by ending all ties with the BCCI and Indian cricket will a player have the opportunity to join foreign leagues, implying only retired stars the chance, and they have utilised the freedom over the years.

MS Dhoni; SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith

Former India skipper MS Dhoni had bid adieu to international cricket in 2020. Hence, overseas leagues do have the luxury of roping in one of the brightest cricket minds. A few months back, there was a rumour that Dhoni would be part of the SA20 league as one of the coaching staff of the Joburg Super Kings (JSK). It was eventually disallowed owing to the BCCI rule of ending all ties with Indian cricket, which includes the IPL. For Dhoni to be part of SA20 or any other foreign league in the world, he has to end his contract with Chennai Super Kings, the franchise he still leads in IPL.

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Smith, when asked by Hindustan Times during a select media engagement on Friday, admitted that despite the BCCI rule remains hopeful of Dhoni's association with the league in the near future and has opened the door for his arrival as well.

"It would be amazing to have a player like him. But as I have previously said, we always work with and respect the BCCI. The fact that we have created such a nice working relationship with them and have been able to talk to them and learn from them. I mean, they are hugely experienced in doing such events like the IPL or the World Cup. And it is a very important relationship to have for the SAT20. From our perspective, we looked at it, we have one or two opportunities.

"But one thing we really wanted to build was a young and vibrant and really competitive cricket league. And someone like an MS would of course add a lot of value to our league. He has been able to perform and maintain performance for a very long time in this profession and would bring a level to the league which we will be proud to have. But if there is ever an opportunity I would definitely be reaching out to Mahi," he said.

Dhoni is presently gearing up for the 2023 edition of the IPL where he will continue to lead the CSK side. It is yet to be seen if this is his final season in the cash-rich league.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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