Cricket South Africa (CSA) has organized this match to commemorate the 150-years of settlements of Indians in South Africa. The board has also attributed this match in the honor of legendary South African All-rounder, Jacque Kallis, whose great contribution to the national side brought a lot of pride to the country.
"We want to make this a Jacques Kallis evening in which we acknowledge his huge contribution to the Proteas and South African cricket generally as player, role model and mentor,” said Gerald Majola, Chief executive CSA.
India is participating wholeheartedly in the event as their best eleven are sent for this match, except Sachin Tendulkar, who is suffering from toe injury and is replaced by 26-year-old right handed batsman, Robin Uthappa.
The honourary Twenty20 match is organized at the time when SA would be back from New Zealand. While India has just got free from Asia Cup and will immediately get back to home as the rich-cash event, Indian Premier League will be starting on April 4.
Kallis, when asked about his feelings on such an encouraging gesture by the board, humbly expressed his gratitude and appreciated them for honoring him in this way.
"It is something I really appreciate. Cricket South Africa has given me wonderful opportunities to live the dream I have had from the moment I picked up a cricket bat for the first time,” said Kallis.
The 36-year-old veteran made his international debut in a Test match against England in 1995. The right-handed batsman has represented his country in 152Test matches and 321 ODIs with an average of 56.78 and 45.26 respectively. He is also pretty versatile with the ball, as well as an outstanding athlete on the field too.
The South African cricket board had also staged a similar kind of event last year with the same guest team, where they gave a farewell to pacer Makhaya Ntini. CSA has intended to arrange such showpiece fixtures every year in the recognition of the achievements made by their national cricket heroes.
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