RCB In SA20? 'Saw A Poster Of Royal Challengers Bloemfontein,' Allan Donald Triggers Buzz

RCB might be seen in the SA20 league in the form of Royal Challengers Bloemfontein, said South Africa's legendary fast bowler Allan Donald as he talked about rumours floating on the Internet regarding the possible expansion of the tournament. (More Cricket News)

"You know, there's a little rumour going around at the moment. I saw it on Instagram again this morning... could there be two more franchises added? So there was a little guy with a poster of Royal Challengers Bloemfontein. So who knows? I mean, we'll see what pops up at the end of the year," said the great pacer who is also the SA20 ambassador.

Indian Premier League franchise owners are expanding their footprints in the cricketing world and their involvement has helped SA20 get massively popular. All six franchises in the SA20 league are backed by IPL owners.

This year, for the first time in three editions, an Indian player featured in the competition as Dinesh Karthik donned the gloves for the Paarl Royals.

Donald, famously called the White Lightning for his pace, wants more Indian talent to play the league.

"Well, you know, it's not for me to decide. Obviously, BCCI is the strongest cricket board in the world. I think it would be great to see younger and more talented guys. You know, you've got your established guys, you've got your Rohit Sharma, who's done it, who's been around for long.

"If there's some Indian cricketers keen to play in the SA20, wow, it would be amazing. This league would grow and grow exponentially," he said.

"Will we see some more Indian cricketers coming to our shores and be part of SA20? I sat in the first year and I thought this is a massive competition. The second year was even bigger. And this year we're reaching heights greater than what we have seen before," Donald added. "It would be great, there's no doubt about that. If Indian cricketers are available, I'm sure that Greame Smith and his team would definitely grab that chance."

SA20 season three final will take place on Saturday, February 8 between two-time defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and MI Cape Town.

Reflecting on the success of the league, Donald said that the tournament feels like a T20 World Cup.

"You just feel that this event is huge. It just feels like everything, it almost feels like you're at a World Cup, you know, a T20 World Cup. I mean, everything about it is magnificent.

"He's (SA20 commissioner Smith) absolutely spot on when he says that now they have got the right T20 model and moving forward. We're all looking forward to, obviously, it's a mad month. It's a mad month," he said.

"It's a hustle. It's travelling. But the quality of cricket that's being played, the quality of cricketers that is on show, the quality of overseas players that has stepped up with their teams is nothing less than world class."

Donald, who is also the bowling coach of Durban Super Giants this year, added, "The overseas players are mixing with our young cricketers, who are learning so quickly from these big guys. It really is magnificent. So look, this is a big deal. I can categorically say, and I say that very proudly as a South African, this is a big deal.

"And it's got an even bigger deal to go over the next 10, 20 odd years to come. I'm blown away by what I've experienced."