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Proteas all-rounder, Sisanda Magala, is getting just rewards for his good performance during the inaugural Betway SA20 competition in January and in the national colours.
He will be heading for the Indian Premier League where he will join Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for the injured New Zealander, Kyle Jamieson.
According to a statement, Magala will form part of the star-studded CSK team that includes former Indian captain MS Dhoni, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, as well as England all-rounder, Ben Stokes.
Magala admitted that he is “nervous”, having only watched the IPL on television. “I am very happy to be given an opportunity to play in the IPL,” he said.
BetwaySA20 said Magala is “a shining example of the beacon of opportunity South Africa’s premier T20 league provides domestic players.”
Magala, for whom the Sunrisers Eastern Cape bid R5.4 million during the player auction, missed the early rounds of the 2022-23 season due to fitness problems.
However, this did not deter the 31-year-old, who “repaid the Sunrisers in full” by claiming 14 wickets, including 2 for 30 in the final against Pretoria Capitals at the Wanderers that helped the Eastern Cape franchise clinch the inaugural title.
"When you get to specialise in white ball cricket, then it indeed becomes the pinnacle. It's a massive opportunity, and to be honest, I'm very nervous. My mother lives in Uitenhage (Kariega), so it's a long way from home. It’s going to be two months — I haven’t been away from home for that long," Magala said.
