Dinesh Karthik will play for Paarl Royals in SA20

In the T20 cycle, Karthik has been rated by his peers as one of the sharpest experts due to his vast experience in the shortest format. Karthik, is currently putting together a Hundred for Sky Sports, played in 401 T20s and, in the IPL, played for six teams, including the top-flight Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Karthik has also been among the top performers in the IPL, missing just two matches in 17 seasons.

Only retired Indian players are allowed by the BCCI to participate in international T20 leagues. Last year, Ambati Rayudu appeared for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL while Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan starred for the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20. Two years ago, Suresh Raina was part of the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10.

The Paarl Royals announced that they will host it before the new season last week, and the captain David Miller, Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo are in action. The Royals entered the Qualifiers for the last edition of the SA20 but lost five in a row, including a nine-wicket thrashing in the Eliminator against the Joburg Super Kings.

Paarl Royals team
David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dinesh Karthik, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf, Keith Dudgeon, Nqaba Peter, Kwena Maphaka, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dayyaan Galiem (traded in)