The SA20 is scheduled to start on December 26, and South Africa’s festive cricket season will not only be lit, but it is also going to be a major clash with the Boxing Day Ashes Test. The country has a buzzing franchise cricket atmosphere and the Durban Super Giants are among the first teams to reinforce their squads for the tournament’s initial stage. 

Simon Harmer’s brilliant Test performance gives a very welcome boost as Narine is out for the first few SA20 games

Durban have reported the acquisition of the veteran Proteas off-spinner Simon Harmer, who will stand in short term for Sunil Narine. Narine is presently in UAE for ILT20 which runs until January 4, 2026. This means Narine will not participate in the initial five SA20 matches, which is the time Harmer is expected to have a big impact during his tenure.

Harmer comes back to Kingsmead in fantastic form. It is true that his SA20 stats so far aren’t that impressive, he has taken only 9 wickets in 23 matches, but his recent red-ball performances testify to his talent. The 36-year-old was remarkable during South Africa’s recent Test trip, first he made 6/50 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi to complete a historic Proteas’ victory and he also reached the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets.

ALSO SEE: Major setback for RCB as Jaipur POCSO court rejects star pacer’s bail plea ahead of IPL 2026

He then went a step further in India, showing the world his best cricket. He got 17 wickets and took them at an unbelievable **Dale Steyn’s 8.94 average during the two Tests; thus he broke the record for most wickets by a South African in a Test series in India. He was the star of the match for South Africa with his 6/37 in Guwahati that made the series 2-0 in their favor - thus marking their first Test series win in India after a long gap of 25 years.

Harmer's and the batting strength of Durban keep Super Giants at the right place even early in Season 4

The team of Durban still stays quite strong in terms of balance. The batting unit, which is headed by Aiden Markram and Jos Buttler, with Heinrich Klaasen and David Wiese in the middle, offers quite a lot of firepower even when Narine is not playing.

Narine is anticipated to come to the squad after he is back from his overseas duties; this will be his first SA20 appearance for the Super Giants. Until then, the firepower of Harmer's experience, control, and super-hot form gives Durban a dependable option as they look for a strong beginning in Season 4.

It’s the most famous moment for Andre Russell and Sunil Narine in their career. And, funnily, it wasn’t winning the title but being part of a moment post the title victory. Trinbago Knight Riders locked horns with the Guyana Amazon Warriors during the final of the 2025 season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

After the match, when wild celebration sparked off, in the midst of everything, both Sunil Narine and Andre Russell recreated the famous moment of ‘final match you perform, what happening’ as the video has gone viral around various social media platforms. It has brought back memories for the fans.

See Also: [WATCH] Was Fakhar Zaman out in IND vs PAK Super 4 clash of Asia Cup? Former India star analyzes

The birth of the video was from a clip in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) when a reporter asked Russell a question, which went viral immediately. ‘So the final match you perform, what happens?’ asked the reporter to both Russell and Narine, who replied, ‘What do you mean?’ in his usual antics.

Trinbago Knight Riders win their 5th CPL title in 2025

The Imran Tahir-led Guayana won the toss and decided to bat first at the Providence Stadium. They didn’t get a good start with the bat. After a 28-run knock in 17 balls at a strike rate of 164.71 from Ben McDermott, their middle order fell very cheaply. Later, Iftikhar Ahmed smashed 30 runs in 27 balls.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dwaine Pretorious clubbed 25 runs in 18 balls at a strike rate of 138.89, with the help of two over boundaries and one six. Romario Shepherd nailed 13 runs in nine balls to post 130/8 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Trinbago completed the chase by 18 overs with three wickets in hand.

Sunil Narine smacked 22 runs in 17 balls while Kieron Pollard smacked 21 runs in 12 balls at a strike rate of 175. Akeal Hossen, later, finished the chase with an unbeaten 16 runs in seven balls. It was their fifth title in the tournament and the first one in the last five years, as Nicholas Poora’s golden form with four T20 titles in the last 24 months continued.

Two of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) core cricketers' recent performances raise concerns among the franchise followers. In the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2025), for KKR's sister concern, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), Andre Russell and Sunil Narine failed to live up to their marks. Which might be noted by KKR officials as well.

Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, where the former champion side will be in shot to reinforce their firepower, Narine and Russell's long-lyingform may come as a hovering perturb. In CPL 2025, the pace bowling all-rounder, Andre Russell, who already played his last T20I for the West Indies, scored only 61 runs in 6 innings, including a high of 27. 

Like his batting stats, his bowling stats are also looking cold and not suggestive enough for IPL standards. For TKR, he claimed only 9 wickets in 8 matches at an economy rate of 10.47. Before CPL, Russell played for Major League Cricket (MLC) Los Angeles Knight Riders. There too, his performance was below par. 

Read More: 'Huge achivement...'- Cricket fans pouring wishes as Harmanpreet Kaur reaches 150th ODI landmark

Should KKR release Andre Russell and Sunil Narine?

And Sunil Narine, who started his career as a mystery spinner, later turned into an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders, also perhaps moving towards sunset. In CPL 2025, for TKR, he bagged only 6 wickets in 10 matches, which is way lower than his prime. Though his economy rate is below 6, which is rare in T20 cricket. In CPL, Narine mainly contributes as a bowler, not as a batter, so here his CPL 2025 batting stats may not be appropriate. 

The spinner's MLC 2025 was also unimpressive. In 6 matches he got only 3 scalps with his name. He went to bat three times and bagged a total of 27 runs. With these stats, both Russell and Narine can cause headaches for KKR team management. 

In a significant shake-up ahead of the SAT20 2026 season, Durban Super Giants have pulled off a stunning double swoop pre-signing West Indies veteran Sunil Narine and England white-ball superstar Jos Buttler. Both marquee players come on board as pre-signed overseas recruits before the league’s mega auction, signaling DSG’s intent to dominate in the coming season.

Sunil Narine, long regarded as one of the most tactically intelligent T20 players, brings not just his unique bowling skills but also power-hitting credentials and captaincy experience. Speaking on his signing, Narine said, “Being invited to be part of the Super Giants family is an opportunity I value. I’ve heard great things about Mr. Goenka’s vision and the setup.” His addition gives DSG a versatile all-round option and a proven performer in high-pressure games.

Meanwhile, Jos Buttler’s move is seen as a massive coup. Having previously represented Paarl Royals, the English captain now shifts camps and becomes a centrepiece in Durban’s strategy. “I've had a great chat with Dr. Sanjiv Goenka and can’t wait to get stuck in with DSG,” Buttler said. His explosive starts at the top of the order and world-class finishing ability make him an ideal fit for the franchise.

Delighted to have @Heini22 and @noor_ahmad_15 continuing as key members of the @DurbansSG family, and a warm welcome to @josbuttler and Sunil Narine. Looking forward to the auction and an exciting season ahead. #SA20 #DSG pic.twitter.com/ImFPgErbYS

— Dr. Sanjiv Goenka (@DrSanjivGoenka) July 23, 2025

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Kane Williamson celebrates maiden Country Championship 2025 century for Middlesex

DSG Flex Their Muscles with Star Signings and Key Retentions Ahead of SAT20 Auction

The franchise isn’t stopping at just overseas firepower. They’ve retained South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen as their wildcard pick, an aggressive middle-order option who has been a consistent performer for DSG. Afghan left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, another match-winner in the shortest format, has also been retained.

This aggressive pre-auction strategy sends a clear message to the rest of the league: Durban’s Super Giants are building a squad that blends experience, firepower, and tactical flexibility. With Narine and Buttler joining Klaasen and Noor Ahmad, DSG’s core is shaping up to be one of the strongest heading into the 2026 season. The SAT20 auction is still to come, but DSG has already drawn first blood, and the rest of the league will be watching closely.

It’s the story from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) camp, just before the start of the T20 World Cup 2024, in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). It was a tournament where the entire Caribbean wanted their mystery and successful spinner, Sunil Narine, to make a comeback in the national side. 

Their head coach, Darren Sammy, tried multiple times to convince Sunil to return to the side, who looked a bit thin in the spin department in the presence of only Akeal Hosein. The famous journalist, Vimal Kumar, during a recent interaction on Sony Sports Network, has leaked a story from the KKR campaign, when Narine gave the West Indies players a condition to feature in the home T20 World Cup 2024. 

SEE ALSO: WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah cleans up Harry Brook in ongoing ENG vs IND third Test at Lord’s

“I can say it’s exclusive; it’s the story of Sunil Narine!! He retired from international cricket in 2023, but their national players, Rovman Powell and Dwayne Bravo, wanted him to return to the national team. Narine wasn’t sure even after so many discussions, as the former players went to Gautam Gambhir to have a word with the spinner. After Gambhir spoke to him during a net session to accept the request, Narine turned back and asked him a simple question, ‘Will you coach me?’ Vimal Kumar narrated.

Watch: Sunil Narine keeps one condition to play T20 World Cup 2024

That statement was incredible from the veteran West Indies player, who was ready to make a return to the T20Is only if Gambhir coaches them. That shows the immense respect he has for his former captain and current coach on the KKR side. Narine could have made a huge difference for the Powell-led side in the World Cup 2024.

🗣️ WATCH : Never heard story by Vimal Kumar on Sunil Narine about how he almost played the T20 WC 2024.

BUT HIS ONE CONDITION?
GG🥺pic.twitter.com/RExiMd7uLw

— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) July 11, 2025

In 49 T20I innings, the 37-year-old has picked up 52 wickets at an average of 21.25 and a strike rate of 21.1 besides an economy rate of just over six, thanks to the best bowling figures of 4/12. In the T20s around the globe, he has collected 589 wickets in 544 innings at an average of under 22 and an economy rate of just over six.

The West Indies qualified for the super eight stage, but went on to lose a do-or-die clash against South Africa and were out of the event. The two-time champions, overall, weren’t at their best in all three departments of the game.

Since T20 Cricket was introduced more than two decades ago, the format was dominated by the batters, but as more T20 matches were held, bowlers became more accurate by sharpening their skills and by working on their variety. Bowlers became smarter and adjusted their lengths depending on the wickets and playing conditions to outfox the batters. The bowlers worked on bowling wicket-taking deliveries. In this piece, we discuss three bowlers who have racked up the most wickets in T20 cricket.

 The players mentioned in the list have showcased their skills time and again to get crucial breakthroughs for their sides that have changed the outcome of many matches. The bowlers mentioned in the list possess different skill sets depending on their strengths to bowl in different conditions and wickets, but their efficiency and consistency in taking crucial wickets have been second to none. We discuss these bowlers in detail:

1.Sunil Narine (574 wickets in 536 T20 games)

The former West Indian spinner has been among the most popular T20 players in the shorter format, as the spinner has played for different franchises in different T20 leagues globally. Narine has claimed 574 wickets in 536 T20 games in his T20 career so far.

He has this ability to change the length at the last moment by outsmarting the batters. Narine's variety enables him to take wickets on flat batting surfaces. The 37-year-old's bounce and flight are difficult to judge, making him a deadly option.

2.Imran Tahir (531 wickets in 428 T20 games)

The former South African leg spinner's deceptive length has troubled the batters. Tahir can outsmart the batters with his googlies and faster ones as the 46-year-old changes his length, keeping in mind a batter's strength.

Tahir doesn't turn the ball a long way, but his ability to attack the stumps and his ability to hold his line contain the runs and even help him get wickets. He has claimed 531 wickets in 428 T20 games. Tahir has the reputation of getting breakthroughs during the middle overs.

Also Read:Full list of catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023 ft. India

3.Shakib Al Hasan (492 wickets in 444 T20 games)

Undoubtedly amongst the most skilful off-spinners in modern-day cricket, Shakib's length is difficult to read due to his round-arm action. Shakib uses his wrists and fingers cleverly, enabling him to turn the ball.

His flight and his ability to use the popping crease cleverly enable him to land the ball in the right areas, helping him gain wickets consistently in the T20 format. His biggest strength is his ability to take wickets during pressure situations. The left-arm spinner has claimed 492 wickets in 444 T20 games in his career.

The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have confirmed their team for the 2025 Caribbean Premier League, paving the way for a thrilling campaign. Looking to recover from a patchy spell of performances in past seasons, TKR has retained a solid core and strengthened with proven overseas players to support their title quest. The revelation came during the CPL draft that took place on June 18, providing fans with a first-hand glimpse at the squads of all six teams.

Knight Riders have held on to T20 veterans like Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, and Akeal Hosein to ensure leadership and experience do not get affected. Their foreign roster is comprised of the likes of Alex Hales, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, and Ali Khan, which provides them with strength and depth in all departments. The 2025 CPL tournament will start on 14 August and end with the final on 21 September, covering the length and breadth of the Caribbean and ending in Guyana.

This year's draft saw a special rule: the last three rounds were for West Indies Breakout League players. Every team has to have at least one such young player in every game, promoting youth development in the league. Trinbago Knight Riders reacted positively by selecting a number of promising youngsters to go along with their veteran group.

See Also: CPL 2025: Guyana Amazon Warriors announce their squad for upcoming season

Trinbago Knight Riders Squad for CPL 2025

The Trinbago Knight Riders 2025 team consists of Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, Ali Khan, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Terrance Hinds, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Da Silva, and Nathan Edward.

🚨 CPL Update

TKR have announced their squad for CPL 2025. They've signed following overseas players :

Mohammad Amir 🇵🇰
Usman Tariq 🇵🇰
Alex Hales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Colin Munro 🇳🇿
Ali Khan 🇺🇸#CPL2025 pic.twitter.com/qN6ptZoBhV

— T20 Franchise Rosters (Men) (@t20tracker) June 18, 2025

On Tuesday, June 17 (Indian time June 18), the Washington Freedom vs Los Angeles Knight Riders (WAS vs LAS) match will be played in the eighth match of the MLC 2025 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland.   

Andre Russell: Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell isn't consistent enough with the bat at present. After scoring 57* and 38 in early May of the IPL 2025, Russell has scored 0, 15, 0, and 1 in the last four games, respectively. In this MLC 2025, Russell recorded one wicket in each of the two games, but also conceded 40+ runs in each game. 

Sunil Narine: Although Sunil Narine scored a duck and was wicketless in the last game for Los Angeles Knight Riders, he started the MLC 2025 with 27 off 13 balls after picking up one wicket.

Glenn Maxwell: Although Glenn Maxwell isn't in strong form, he scored a match-winning 38 not out off 20 balls in their last game with the help of three fours and three sixes.