The ownership group of four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, has acquired a team in Cricket South Africa’s new T20 League. Of the six franchises in the T20 League, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited successfully bid for the franchise from Johannesburg and have named their team Johannesburg Super Kings.
Addressing this acquisition, Chennai Super Kings CEO K.S. Viswanathan said, “We have been evaluating new opportunities across the globe over the past few years. We felt this T20 league in South Africa will be highly competitive and it is a great opportunity for us to give back to the sport. It would also help us to spot new talent."
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“Chennai Super Kings received tremendous support and encouragement from fans during the IPL and Champions League T20 tournaments which were held in South Africa. We are confident that our superfans from all over the world will support us in this new journey and spread Yellove.”
Former CSK player, Faf du Plessis will lead the Johannesburg Super Kings. The team has decided that Du Plessis is one of its five direct signings for US$375,000. The franchise has also acquired Moeen Ali for $400,000. Du Plessis has played 100 matches for the Chennai Super Kings in two spells, from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2021. Moeen also plays for the Chennai Super Kings as he joined the team in 2021.
Maheesh Theekshana ($200,000), a Sri Lankan offspinner has signed with the Johannesburg franchise from Chennai 2022. The squad has also brought in West Indies allrounder Romario Shepherd ($175,000) and South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee ($50,000) as a development player.
The coaching staff are also former Chennai Super Kings players as Stephen Fleming has been named as the head coach with Eric Simons as his deputy. As per reports, the team is also nearing the signing of former South African allrounder Albie Morkel as a coach. Morkel played for the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2013 and won back-to-back IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.