Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi celebrates. Photo: Aamir Qureshi/AFP

Proteas star Shamsi responds to surprise IPL omission

Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has provided a light-hearted response to his omission from the Indian Premier League.

Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi celebrates. Photo: Aamir Qureshi/AFP

Ahead of a new season in the Indian Premier League, there were 33 South Africans – including Shamsi – among a total of 590 players up for sale at the two-day IPL auction.

On Sunday, Proteas youngster Marco Jansen was bought for R8.4 million at the IPL auction, joining SA U19 star Dewald Brevis by bagging a lucrative deal. The 18-year-old – who has been likened to Proteas legend AB de Villiers – was picked up by Mumbai, who paid 3 Indian crore, which is just over R6 million.

Aiden Markram, who had a short stint with the Punjab Kings, went for R5.2m (2.6 crore), while Kagiso Rabada is also in for a big payday after he was ‘bought’ for R18.6 million (9.25 Indian crore) by the Punjab Kings at the IPL auction. Rabada has starred for the Delhi Capitals in the past two editions of the IPL, but he was this time snapped up for R18.6 million by the Punjab Kings.

BREAKING: PROTEAS SUPERSTAR SNAPPED UP FOR MEGA BUCKS IN IPL AUCTION

Meanwhile, Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was bought for R13.5m (6.75 crore) by new franchise the Lucknow Super Giants after previously playing for the Mumbai Indians.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore also picked up Faf du Plessis for R14m (7 crore) as he makes the move from the Chennai Super Kings.

Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje was the lone South African retained for this year’s IPL and he remains with the Delhi Capitals.

David Miller (base price 1 crore) wasn’t picked up by any team while another Proteas star, Lungi Ngidi suffered the same fate.

Tabraiz Shamsi, who is the ranked in second place on the ICC bowler list for T20 internationals, also went unsold despite the fact he is regarded as one of the best T20 players in the world.

In that context, it’s extremely surprising that he went unsold, but Shamsi responded good-naturedly when responding to an IPL auction tweet highlighting how Liam Livingstone had been sold for 11.15 CR.

On social media, Shamsi was also asked why he wasn’t participating in the Pakistan Super League, and he provided an interesting explanation on that subject.

“I would have been but I’ve gotta prioritise SA Cricket and play the domestic T20 comp in South Africa …would definitely love to play in the comp one day… hopefully next year!”

SOUTH AFRICANS WHO WERE IN IPL AUCTION, INCLUDING SHAMSI:

Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Imran Tahir, Dewald Brevis, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Dwaine Pretorius, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Rilee Rossouw, Marchant de Lange, Zubayr Hamza, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Parnell, Daryn Dupavillon, Donavon Ferreira, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Sisanda Magala, Andile Phehlukwayo, Migael Pretorius, Corbin Bosch, Ottneil Baartman, Khwezi Gumede, Duan Jansen, Beyers Swanepoel, Johan van Dyk.