James Anderson IN, Ravichandran Ashwin OUT
The platform is now ready for the SA20 2025-26 player auction as a list of 541 players has been finalized for bidding before the league’s eagerly awaited fourth season. The auction will be conducted on September 9 in Johannesburg while the tournament will officially commence from December 26, 2025.
In the league’s first ever instance, more than 800 player registrations were recorded, the largest selection process SA20 has had in its four-year existence. No Indian players, however, feature in the final list, even as news had indicated that approximately 13 Indian cricketers had entered the fray.
Indian Absence Despite High-Profile Interest
Among those listed as having registered were experienced spinner Piyush Chawla and ex-India pacer Siddharth Kaul. The rumour mill of Indian involvement gained more momentum after Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently took himself out of the IPL, openly declared his wish to feature in a non-local T20 league. However, Ashwin’s name too does not feature in the final auction list.
Although motivations for exclusion are still unknown, it is important to mention that BCCI’s policy regarding participation of Indian players in foreign leagues has long been conservative, particularly for players who have not retired from all Indian cricket formats.
Star-Studded Line-Up From Around the World
Among the 541 players included in the auction, 300 are South Africans and 241 are from overseas. The draft has some international legends, led by Bangladesh’s legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and England’s veteran fast bowler James Anderson.
If selected, Shakib Al Hasan would be the first Bangladeshi cricketer ever to appear in SA20, which would be a landmark moment for both him and the league. Anderson, though more of a red-ball player, is still a bankable name for any T20 franchise seeking to strike a balance between youth and experience.
Joining the list from England are familiar T20 faces such as Alex Hales, Moeen Ali, Adam Rossington, Jordan Cox, and Daniel Worrall.
Top South African Names on Offer
South Africa’s central stars are predictably included, with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Reeza Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Ottneil Baartman, and Gerald Coetzee all in contention.
Also included are recent World Test Championship winners such as Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Dane Paterson, and Lungi Ngidi, highlighting the strength of local talent on offer.
Auction Rules and Squad Composition
The six SA20 franchises will seek to fill 84 slots up for grabs, 25 of which are for foreign players, out of a total auction purse worth R 131 million (c. US$7.37 million).
Every franchise will have to construct a 19-player squad with:
- At least 9 South African nationals
- Up to 7 global players
- Two South African U23 prospects
- One Wildcard choice
What’s Next for SA20?
With the auction date finalized and tension mounting, all attention will be on teams’ approaches to building their rosters. The lack of Indian players might disappoint some fans, but the richness and variety of the pool of talent promise another thrilling season ahead.
From Shakib’s possible debut to Anderson’s unexpected selection, the SA20 2025-26 season guarantees new stories and tough competition both on and off the pitch.