South African star set to replace Kyle Jamieson in upcoming season of Indian T20 League

Kyle Jamieson has been declared injured, thus Chennai has acquired South African pace bowler Sisanda Magala in his place. The New Zealand seamer Jamieson was signed for INR 1 crore at the mini-auction in December but experienced a resurgence of a lower-back stress fracture just before the Test series against England last month. It’s anticipated that he won’t play cricket for several months, along with the upcoming Indian T20 League.

Who is Sisanda Magala and why have Chennai gone with him as the replacement for Kyle Jamieson for the upcoming Indian T20 League?

Magala has never played in the ITL before and was not purchased at the auction. At his starting salary of INR 50 lakh, he joins Chennai for the upcoming season. Magala made an impact for eventual winners Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the inaugural SA20 tournament at the beginning of this year, despite the fact that he hasn’t played a T20I for South Africa since April 2021.

With 14 wickets at an economy of 8.68, he placed joint-fifth on the wicket tables at the end of the competition. Magala is known for his death bowling, but in the SA20, he posed a threat during the powerplay by collecting half of his scalps have been within the first six overs. In his T20 career, he has scored two half-centuries and is a valuable lower-order batsman, and can be a great overseas option to have in the squad.

It is unknown if Sisanda Magala would be ready when the ITL 2023 season begins. The Chennai franchise is set to play in the opening game against the defending champion Gujarat in Ahmedabad. 

According to speculations, players from South Africa, who will be taking part in their forthcoming ODI series against the Netherlands, would be late to the ITL. Although the team has not yet been announced, Magala was given a central contract a few weeks ago and is now taking part in the series against the West Indies, indicating that he would probably be selected for the Holland series.