With BCCI planning to host the IPL 2024 auction on December 19 in Dubai, the South African Rilee Rossouw is expecting a huge bid for him during the event in Dubai.
Rilee Rossouw’s statement ahead of IPL 2024 auction
The South African player had an impressive career in Abu Dhabi T10 and expects to return to the national squad and
The player was bidded by the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals in last year’s IPL auction. But the Capitals auctioned him for INR 4.60 crore which was more than double his base price of INR 2 crore. He played 9 matches and amassed 209 runs with a strike rate of 148.23.
But it was not enough for the franchise to win the IPL 2023 edition. The Delhi Capitals let go of 11 players including Rossouw, Rovman Powell, and Chetan Sakariya.
Rossouw had a decent run in the 2023 edition. Apart from PSL, he struggled in most leagues. But he struggled to perform in most of the league. Despite his lag in his recent performances, the player is confident about the upcoming auction and hopes for a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight riders.
“Don’t have a particular thing in mind. I think Delhi Capitals was good to me last year. We had a solid camaraderie around the team. But in saying that, I did well with the Knights team in the American League.”
“So it would be nice if it would be a little bit of a bidding war. I mean, that would be ideal for myself,” Rossouw told media. “Like at the end of the day, doesn’t matter who I play for. I want to do well for whichever franchise I’m picked,” he said.
“I think IPL does everything on a bigger canvas. Everything’s bigger and better there as they say. It’s just glamorous from the outside. They spend so much money on marketing, in getting the fans in which is fantastic to see as a player. The fans love their cricket.”
“So it’s fantastic to see that and how it’s been consistent over what’s it been like 20 years (16) of it. So it is probably one of the best leagues,” he added.
“It has been doing a lot more than what it has in the previous seven seasons. I was making a joke with the boys about the same. I mean, after seven years, I’m sure the bowlers can have one season where the ball does a bit. This was something that we weren’t expecting, to be honest.”
“When you talk about T10, you just think you’re gonna slam every ball, the wickets are going to be nice and flat, and you’re gonna have a good time but it’s not been the case this year,” he added.
“You need to adjust your game a bit. Try and play more conventional shots, get behind the line a bit more but you’ve got to stay positive. You can’t just let the an over go by because it’s moving a bit off the surface.”
“I’ve been in touch with the coach and I’m still in his ideas, whether I play in the leagues or not. So without thinking much I just want to perform and do well wherever and whatever the changes I might get.”
“At the end of the day, if I score and they don’t select me, it is out of my control. The selectors do their job. They want to always keep getting the best South African team out in the park,” Rossouw said.
“He’s (Markram) a great man on and off the field. With regards to the youngsters coming through, there’s some really good talent in South Africa, I’m glad they’re getting the opportunity to play because that opportunity doesn’t come around often.”
“And I hope they do well. So it does put a little bit of a headache in the selector’s mind for the upcoming World Cups, especially with our old guys that are now looking at the other side of the hills,” he added.
“I got to believe in South Africa. they will have an advantage. But I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a couple of Indian fans rocking up to the grounds and not wearing green which I think is things gonna be crazy. It’s going to be evenly matched,” he concluded.
He was not part of the South Africa squad for the home tour series against India. You can see the players list of the South African cricketers list who will be playing in the tour. The three-match T20I series will start on December 10 at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground.
