Mumbai, August 19: The SA20 league commissioner Graeme Smith believes they have established enough of a foothold to become the second-biggest league in the world after the Indian Premier League (IPL). The SA20 has grown rapidly since its launch, and last year's auction saw almost 600 players register from across the globe. This year's list of retained and pre-signed stars already boasts big names such as Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and England's Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow. Chris Morris Tips Aiden Markram To Be One of the Big Draws at SA20 2025 Auction.

"When we started, we were built up against the ILT20 and Big Bash, and we set ourselves big ambitions upfront. In the southern hemisphere window, we want to dominate, and we want to be the biggest league outside the IPL. Three years in, we've set the standard. Every decision we make is around making sure that we uphold those standards," Smith said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"I expect there will be a top number of leagues that will elevate themselves in a calendar cycle, and that will be the priority for players, investors and fans. Our ambitions are to remain right at the top of that alongside IPL," he added.

The new season kicks off on December 26, with the auction in early September expected to set the tone for another blockbuster edition of South Africa's premier T20 league. Chris Morris Looks Ahead to SA20 2025 Auction, Says ‘Kwena Maphaka Is Going To Be at the Centre of a Bidding Frenzy’.

SA20 features six teams, each permitted a maximum of 6 retained or pre-signed players, comprising a maximum of three South African and three overseas players during the player retention window, which closed on 18 July. Defending champions MI Cape Town get their title defence underway with a blockbuster clash against Durban's Super Giants on Friday, December 26, 2025, at the picturesque Newlands in the tournament opener.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)