Is South Africa's new T20 league set to succeed after Indian investment?

The organization's hopes have been bolstered by the fact that the six new teams that will play in the league have all been purchased by IPL franchise-owning groups.

It should open a path to the economically lucrative market of India - although the fortunes of the international team South- Africa could be affected by the new tournament, which is due to start in January next year.

In competition with the IPL and Australia's Big Bash League, CSA Chairman Lawson Naidoo, believes that the mix of experience and influence provided by their new partners has the potential to take South African cricket to new levels.

"We see this as a huge vote of confidence in the league by the qualities of team owners we have been able to attract," Naidoo told BBC Sport Africa.

"They all have a long association with T20 cricket and they understand how to be successful in a league like this.

"It shows that CSA made the right decision to create this league and with the right partners, which we believe that we have on board, this is going to be something that will change the vi sage of South African cricket in the years to come.

"This is an opportunity for us to create the second best T20 league in the world. Considering the partners we have, we will obviously benefit from the experience they bring from the IPL."

South African cricket has had its fair share of off-field problems in recent years, but the ASC said the as-yet-unnamed new tournament attracted offers from 29 entities around the world before confirming the six owners of franchise last month.

Reliance Industries, owners of Mumbai Indians, will own a team based at scenic Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town while owners Chennai Super Kings have won the rights to a team which will be based at South Africa's largest cricket ground, Johann's Wanderers Stadium esburg.

The respective owners of Delhi Capitals will have a team in Centurion, Lucknow Super Giants in Durban, Sunrisers Hyderabad at Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Rajasthan Royals at Paarl, 40 km east of Cape Town.

Graeme Smith, the former South African captain who has been appointed tournament commissioner, says the new league provides a "really exciting time" for play in the country.

"The overwhelming interest shows the country remains valued in the global cricket ecosystem," he added.

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