The Paarl Royals will host the Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park on Saturday, followed by a match between the Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town at the Wanderers.

All eyes will be on the Royals, who will unveil the first Indian player, Dinesh Karthik, to feature in the SA20 when they take the field at 1pm.

Karthik is a vastly experienced campaigner, having played for India 180 times across formats, and was also a member of the India team that won the first T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007. It was a significant moment in global cricket for that triumph gave birth to the IPL.

Karthik is, therefore, delighted to be back in the country that has featured so significantly in his career.

“My experience in South Africa has always been good. It’s been a place which has really supported my cricket. I’ve enjoyed playing here,” he said.

“Some of my best memories have come from South Africa, winning the T20 World Cup, being part of something so special and that also started a very big trend in Indian cricket and it’s called the IPL today.

“When the offer was there, I thought it was a good team to be a part of. Being part of the IPL for so many years, I haven’t been part of the Royals and a lot of my friends have played for this franchise and have only said good things.

“So when the opportunity came up, I was very excited and I also heard great things about the tournament in general, about how competitive it is, how the players do everything possible to get the best out of themselves and the last one, obviously, Paarl as a place.

“But overall, it was a bit of a no-brainer when the offer came from the Royals because it kind of fit in with everything that I was looking for – a competitive tournament, a franchise that I would like to be represented with and, most importantly, the place in itself being so pretty.”

The Royals will face a bruised Sunrisers Eastern Cape team after the defending champions lost their opener to MI Cape Town. But coach Aiden Birrell is confident his team will bounce back at Boland Park.

“I’m disappointed, but certainly not despondent,” Birrell said after the match. “I believe in my team. I believe in our players. I’m sure we’ll bounce back in a couple of days. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Meanwhile, England’s World Cup hero Jonny Bairstow is excited to wear the yellow of the Joburg Super Kings at a ground where he has particularly fond memories.

“I just love South Africa. It’s an amazing place. I love coming here, the people, the cricket, and the passion for the game.

“It will be the first time I’ve worked with Flem [JSK coach Stephen Fleming]. But I’ve known [captain] Faf [du Plessis] for a really long time, from when he played at Lancashire many years ago. There is plenty of excitement to don the Super Kings jersey.”

MI Cape Town head up to the Higvhveld in high spirits after their opening victory over the Sunrisers.

“It was obviously a great start to the tournament and hopefully kicks off in the right direction because there is plenty more to come,” New Zealand bowler Trent Boult said after the match.

“It’s a quick tournament and momentum is crucial and that win certainly sent a lot of confidence flowing through the changeroom.”

The match at the Wanderers will start at 5:30pm.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportzpics