A new chapter in South African cricket will be written when the SA20 League begins in South Africa from January 10 to February 11, 2023. The league is a step forward for South African cricket, which had a dismal ICC Men's T20 World Cup and will be looking to put the tournament behind them. Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock is excited about the competition as it will provide a platform for youngsters in the country.

Also Read: CSA T20 auction: Here's a list of the top 10 Most Expensive players after the CSA T20 league's auction

Each of the six SA20 franchises - MI Cape Town (MICT), Paarl Royals (PR), Pretoria Capitals (PC), Joburg Super Kings (JSK), Durban's Super Giants (DSG) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) will be playing five home and five away matches followed by the knock-out stages, i.e the semi-finals and the finals.

Cricket fans in India will be gearing up to watch the tournament as MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals battle it out in the tournament opener on January 10, 2023. The live-action will be available on Viacom 18 Sports, an SA20 League release said.

South Africa's globetrotting opening batter Quinton de Kock is eagerly waiting for the inaugural edition of the newly introduced franchise league. QDK is excited about the competition as it will provide a platform for youngsters in the country.

The tournament has garnered a lot of media attention not only for being the first T20 franchise league to be organized in South Africa but also for the fact that all six teams are owned by IPL franchise owners.

Also Read: Indian Cricket Team News: MS Dhoni the Director of T20 Cricket?

Quinton de Kock said he was looking forward to the unexpected

"Pretty much it's a new tournament, so, I guess looking forward to the unexpected, we've had a couple of these tournaments, and there hasn't been one in a while. A lot of youngsters who haven't been part of the big tournament will be involved in this, so it will be good for the new guys and obviously for the guys who've been around in serving cricket. This is also new for us, so, this would be amazing another new comp, so I can't wait." 

said Quinton De Kock in an interview

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"I've played with everyone. I know what I'm dealing with, and so, I know the boys are going to have a lot of fun with the children, with the fisherman as well. So I know that's what I'm dealing with, so it's pretty easy for me," de Kock said while speaking in an interview with the SA20 League.

Karnataka all-rounder Shreyas Gopal grabbed a stunning hat-trick against Baroda in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to enter a respectable list of legendary players. Playing for Karnataka, the leg-spinning all-rounder dismissed star Baroda cricketers such as Hardik Pandya, and Krunal Pandya for golden ducks. 

Gopal dismissed Shashwat Rawat who scored a scorching 63 off 37 balls to pick up the momentum for the Karnataka team. Following that, Gopal also dismissed star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya on a golden duck. Hardik's brother Krunal Pandya, who is also the captain of Baroda, faced the same fate as he returned to the pavilion with a golden duck by his name. 

Triple Treat 👌👌👌

🔟.1⃣ - Shashwat Rawat
🔟.2⃣- Hardik Pandya
🔟.3⃣ - Krunal Pandya

Re-live Shreyas Gopal's brilliant hat-trick against Baroda in Indore 🎥 🔽

That catch on the hat-trick ball 🔥#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/VizwmvftQI pic.twitter.com/RxSHIVyqy5

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 3, 2024

Gopal's sensational hat-trick has undoubtedly excited CSK fans, who are eagerly counting down to see his impact in the upcoming IPL season. CSK secured his services for a base price of 30 lakhs in the recent Mega Auction for IPL 2025. 

However, the 31-year-old all-rounder has entered the globe of cricketing stars after registering his third career T20 hat-trick. He is now positioned third in the list of most hat-tricks in T20 cricket. 

Shreyas Gopal is in the form of his life after being picked by CSK.

2-30(4) vs Ukhand
1-26(4) vs Tri
1-23(4) vs Sau
5-13(4) vs Sik
1-14(4) vs TN
4-19(4) vs Bar (hattrick)

Leading wicket taker:
14 wkts at 8.9, Eco 5.2, SR 10.2

Outrageous numbers in a high scoring SMAT season! pic.twitter.com/YCtBk3uvUm

— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) December 3, 2024

Shreyas Gopal recorded his first T20 hat-trick in Karnataka's face-off against Haryana in the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he picked up the three wickets of Navdeep Saini, Jayant Yadav and Amit Mishra. His second came in the same year while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, as he dismissed Virat Kohli, AB De Villiers, and Marcus Stoinis. After almost 5 years, now he has grabbed his third. 

Shreyas Gopal shines with a stunning hat-trick against Baroda, dismissing Shashwat Rawat, Krunal, and Hardik Pandya! 🔥🙌

Recently picked up by CSK for ₹30 lakhs at the IPL Auction 2025, he's ready to make an impact! 💛#ShreyasGopal #CSK #IPL2025 #Cricket #RashidKhan #cricket pic.twitter.com/sP0tiG5vrZ

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 4, 2024

Most hat-tricks in T20 Cricket

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Indian pacer who last played for the Indian team in 2022, recently became the first Indian pacer to take more than 300 T20 wickets during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament 2024. Captaining the Uttar Pradesh team, the medium pacer showcased even at his age, how he can be good with the ball in hand. In the UP vs Himachal Pradesh match, he claimed his 300 T20 wicket. 

Indian bowlers with most T20 wickets

As Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the first Indian pacer to achieve feat, we will give the list of Indian bowlers with most T20 wickets. 

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 304 T20 wickets

The 35-year-old medium pacer has been one of the highest wicket-takers for India in T20I cricket. In T20 internationals for India, Bhuvnewshwar Kumar has taken 90 wickets in 87 T20I matches at an outstanding economy rate of 6.96, including two five-wicket hauls. 

In Indian Premier League, while playing for Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Buvi has taken 181 wickets in 176 matches at an excellent economy rate of 7.56 runs per over. In total, Bhuvneshwar so far has taken 304 wickets in T20 cricket in 290 matches at 7.29 runs per over.

Read Also | Is this the end of the road for Bhuvneshwar Kumar? UP ignores the pacer for the Ranji Trophy 2024-25

He stands as the fourth highest wicket-taker among Indians in T20 cricket and is the only Indian fast bowler to take more than 300 wickets in shortest format of the game.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin | 310 T20 Wickets

A test legend in his own rights, Ravichandran Ashwin had started his career with the T20s. It was Chennai Super Kings who had found the spark in him which helped him gain the exposure to evantually get selected for India and flourish as an all-format bowler. The off-spinner from Tamil Nadu has played 324 T20 games so far in his career and took 324 wickets at an astonishing economoy rate of 7.06. 

In IPL, he has played for teams like CSK, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants and Delhi Capitals along with playing for the Indian team and Tamil Nadu in his career. In his 212 IPL games, he has taken 180 wickets at 7.12 runs per over. For India, in T20Is, Ashwin has the off-spinner took 72 wickets in only 65 games. 

2. Piyush Chawla | 319 T20 Wickets

The leg spinner has been playing T20s since 2007 and has played a total 297 T20 matches so far in his career. In his career, he has taken 319 T20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.53. However, he only played 7 T20 internationals for India and took only 4 wickets for the country.

In the Indian Premier League, he has featured in 192 games for Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians. Chawla has been one of the most successful bowlers in the tournament with 192 wickets with an economy rate of 7.96 runs per over.

Moreover, he has played for overseas teams like Sussex in Vitality Blast Tournament in England. 

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 363 T20 Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal is perhaps the most Indian successful bowlers in the shortest format of the game. The leg-spinner from Haryana started his career with IPL teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore and made a name for yourself to get into the Indian team.

Chahal spent eight seasons with Royal Challengers Bangalore and with 113 wickets, is still their highest wicket-taker in Indian Premier League history. However, RCB decided not to retain him in the 2022 mega auction, and Chahal headed to Rajasthan Royals. 

In IPL 2025 Mega acution, he became the most expensive spinner in the tournament's history as Punjab Kings bought him for INR 18 cr. Till now, in IPL, Chahal has taken 205 wickets, and is the most successful bowler in the tournament's history. For India, he has played 80 T20I games and once was the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is with 96 wickets.

New Zealand so far has received only three ICC trophies, including its recent triumph in the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Funnily, the first win for New Zealand was in the previous generations of fans, a generation that saw the two gorgeous captains Stephen Fleming and Saurav Ganguly.

The second win came in the next generation when the Virat Kohli-dominated Indian test side fell short to the representative of gentleness and calmness, Kane Williamson.

Here are all the three triumphs of New Zealand in the ICC tournaments.

2000: The Champions Trophy

Earlier known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, the Champions Trophy of 2000 was the first-ever ICC tournament that the Kiwis won.

The tournament was hosted in Kenya.

In the quarterfinals, New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 64 runs, advancing towards the seminal where they defeated Pakistan by 4 wickets. 

Coming to bat, Pakistan posted a huge total of 252, based on Saeed Anwar's 104 runs. While chasing, even though the Black Caps trembled a bit, they managed in the middle with the likes of Roger Twose (87), Nathan Astle (49), and Craig McMillan (51*).

In the final, they met the Indians. The Men in Blue, who were enjoying an undefeated streak in the tournament, fell short of winning the final despite Ganguly's 117-run innings.

Chris Cairns' unbeaten 102 led New Zealand to 265/6, winning by four wickets and securing their maiden ICC trophy.

2021: World Test Championship

The second big ICC tournament that New Zealand won was the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, held in the Oval.

The rain-affected test match saw the Kiwis restricting the Indians to 217 in the first innings. Kyle Jamieson had his standout performance for New Zealand with his bowling figure looking 5/31.

New Zealand took a 32-run lead. However, in the second inning, India's batting crumbled for 170, posting a minimal 139 runs chase for New Zealand.

New Zealand achieved the target, losing 2 wickets, becoming the first ever test champion for the WTC.

2024: ICC T20 Women's World Cup

New Zealand's third ICC title came after they claimed their first Women's T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by 32 runs in the 2024 final.

After posting 158/5, led by Amelia Kerr's 43 and Brooke Halliday's 38, New Zealand restricted South Africa to 126/9 in 20 overs. Kerr also shone with the ball, taking 3/24.

Despite Laura Wolvaardt's strong start for South Africa (33 off 27), their middle order faltered under pressure. This victory marked a remarkable turnaround for New Zealand, who entered the tournament after a 10-match losing streak.

List of ICC Trophies won by New Zealand

After the 8 wickets defeat against New Zealand in the first test, India needs to win 5 out of seven tests to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

India is currently playing the second test against New Zealand at the Mumbai Cricket Association, where New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first.

Even after the defeat in the first test, India is enjoying the top position in the World Test Championship points table, with 68.06%.

However, New Zealand has moved up to fourth with 44.44%, creating additional pressure for India to perform well in the remaining fixtures.

India’s Road to Qualification

To ensure a place in the WTC final, the two-time runners-up India needs to win 5 out of 7 test matches. However, four wins will make them depend on the performance of other teams.

The remaining two matches in the 3-match test series against New Zealand are crucial, as they need to win to ease their way to the final, as India will face Australia in the next series.

India will tour Australia for the highly anticipated 5-match Border-Gavaskar-Trophy test series. Australia right now is in the second position with 62.50%.

Australia's performance against strong contenders will heavily impact the final standings.

Competition from Other Contenders

Australia, like India, needs four out of seven tests to qualify for the final. However, India must also keep an eye on South Africa and New Zealand, who are both vying for a top-two finish.

South Africa right now sits in the fourth position with 47.62%, with a chance to reach 69.44%. All they need to do is win at least 4 of their 5 remaining tests. Winning all of them, however, won't put them in the calculator situation.

🚨 WTC Final Alert:

With South Africa's win in Mirpur, 3 wins aren't enough for India now!

The race for the finals just got intense. Every match counts! 🇮🇳🏏#WTC2023 #Cricket #INDvNZ #rohitsharma #PatCummins #WTC #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/w74FOwdfBp

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) October 24, 2024

New Zealand too shares the same situation with the proteas. They will have to win all five of the remaining test series to hope for qualification. A dominant win against India in the first test may boost their confidence, as all the leftover tests are against India (two away remaining and three at home)

England, on the other hand, is in the sixth position with 43.06% and can only finish with a maximum of 60%. That means they will have to depend on the performance of other teams to qualify.

Read Also: ICC confirm venue and dates for World Test Championship 2025 final

Other Teams in the table

Teams like Pakistan, West Indies, and Bangladesh have already been eliminated from contention, as they cannot breach the 50% mark even if they win all their remaining matches.

Latest updated World Test Championship points table

The 2024 T20 Women's World Cup has concluded giving a new winner New Zealand.

New Zealand defeated the South African women by 32 runs, achieving the trophy for the first time.

However, here are some stats to know about the 2024 edition of the trophy.

Batting Records

Highest Runs

Laura Wolvaardt, the skipper of the South African women's team, tops the list with the highest runs. She finished the tournament with 223 runs. Her average counts 44.60. Worlvaart is the only batter in the tournament to surpass 200 runs.

Her teammate Tanzim Brits stands second with 187 runs, and England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge scores 151 runs, standing 3rd in the table.

The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is at the fourth spot securing 150 runs in the tournament.

Best batting average.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur is at the top of the list with an average of 150. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt is the only other batter to have an average above 100. She is in the second spot with an average of 107.00.

Most fours and sixes

Both the Proteas, Wolvaardt, and Brits rule the list smashing 24 and 19 boundaries, respectively.

Dottin smoked nine sixes; no other batter could even clear the fence four times.

Highest Individual Score

SA's Anneke Bosch is at the top, scoring 74* against Australia in the semi-final match. England's Maia Bouchier is the second scoring 62* against Scotland.

Wolvaardt stands third with a score of 57 not out.

Other Records

WI's Deandra Dottin is the only player to register a 150+ strike rate after playing at least 50 balls. She registered a strike rate of 162.16.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet is the only batter to smash multiple half-centuries throughout the tournament.

Read Also: All the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup winners

Bowling Records

Most wickets

New Zealand's Amelia Kerr scalped 15 wickets, registering her name as the bowler to have the most number of wickets in a Women's T20 World Cup edition.

Her average (7.33) is the best among bowlers with at least five scalps.

South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba stands second with 12 wickets.

Best Individual Figures

WI's Karishma Ramharack has the best bowling figures in this tournament. She recorded her best bowling figures (4-0-17-4) against Bangladesh.

The other bowlers with four-fers in the competition are Mair, Australia's Ashleigh Gardner, Dottin, Kerr, and Mlaba.

Best Economy Rate

Australia's Megan Schutt has the best economy rate of 4.07 in the event, among bowlers who delivered at least 15 overs.

England's Sophie Ecclestone (4.38) and Marizanne Kapp (4.64) are next on this list.

Team records

India records the highest total of 172, losing 3 wickets, against Sri Lanka.

South Africa scored 166 against Scotland and New Zealand scored a massive 160 against India. These were the two other scores that touched the 160 mark

India registered an 80-run win against Sri Lanka, while South Africa sealed a similar win against Scotland, making them the top-two largest victories this year in terms of runs.