The first T20I against the West Indies was cut short due to rain. Still, South African all-rounder Sisanda Magala's all-around performance stole the limelight making Chennai supporters excited for the Indian T20 League (ITL) 2023.
The four-time ITL champions confirmed the 32-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder as Kyle Jamieson's replacement in place of the injured Blackcaps fast-bowler. On March 25, he attracted attention at Supersport Park in Centurion and nearly contributed to the Proteas' victory.
Magala returned to the game with the ball after landing several lofty hits on the way to an unbeaten five-ball 18. He found himself on a hat-trick as he performed the bouncer to perfection while having to defend 17 off two overs.
Sisanda Magala recorded figures of 3/21 while slamming 18 off 5 with the bat
He concluded the match, which was shortened to 11 overs per side, with returns of 3/21 from his two overs. Fans of Chennai were excited at the idea of the all-rounder recreating his feats in another yellow jersey very soon, even if West Indies ultimately won their chase of 132.
Magala was signed up earlier this week by the Chennai franchise for his base price of 50 lakh rupees. He is known for delivering powerful lengths and having a mean yorker. He might be the team's death bowler, along with Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka and Dwaine Pretorius of South Africa.
If he is chosen for South Africa's ODI team to play The Netherlands, he is likely to be late for Chennai’s first game. The series' first game is scheduled for March 31, the same day Chennai kick off the ITL 2023 against Gujarat, the defending champions, in Ahmedabad.
The Lucknow franchise will be Chennai's opponent in their first home game, their second game in the league. If Magala is chosen to play against the Dutch, it is unlikely that he will disembark from the plane and enter the starting lineup right away.
With just 8 points and holding down the penultimate spot in the standings, Chennai had their worst-ever ITL season in 2022. In what is expected to be his final season in the coveted league, MS Dhoni will once again serve as the Yellow Army's captain.
Here's how fans reacted to Magala's stellar performance:
I Body Shamed Sisanda Magala Initially 😔💛 Apologising Magala For That . pic.twitter.com/U69PHjrVoc
— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) March 25, 2023
Sisanda Magala - 18 Runs In 5Balls & 2 Ovs 21 Runs With 3Wickets 💥🔥
— Trendsetter Bala (@trendsetterbala) March 25, 2023
CSK PARAMBARAI 😎😎 pic.twitter.com/gUEkxifvFg
Our New Superking Sisanda Magala :
— MS Dhoni FC (@msduniverseking) March 25, 2023
With the bat : 18*(5)
With the ball : 2/21(2) #SAvsWI #SisandaMagala #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/hcIMFE6MP5
When 16 needed off 12 balls
— Piyush Khanchandani (@PiyushKhanchan4) March 25, 2023
Sisanda Magala - 1,4,W, W,0,4 💥#WhistlePodu #IPL2023 #CSK#IPL2023
Sisanda Magala is playing 🦁 #Yellove 🦁💛 https://t.co/xdURaYbdVr
— Yash (@yash_raj104) March 25, 2023
Sisanda Magala >>>>>>>>> Hardik Pandya
— Jerry (@F00tball_WW) March 26, 2023
Sisanda Magala 18 off 5 in Batting (2 Sixes and a Four) and 3/21 (2 Overs) in 1st T20I vs West Indies . Sisanda Magala will Play For Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023 . As a MI Fan i can say CSK have best All-Rounders #ChennaiSuperKings #BenStokes #Dhoni #ViratKohli #SAvWI#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/Py68a8yfOg
— ADITYA RAJPUT (@adityar4jput) March 25, 2023
Sisanda Magala 18* off 5 with Bat 2 Sixes and a Four.
— Sourabh Gupta (@imsourabhgupta8) March 25, 2023
3/21 (2 Overs) @sisanda_magala will Play For Chennai Super Kings 💛
IPL is not ready for Sisanda Magala#SisandaMagala #SAvsWI #ChennaiSuperKings #CSK #IPL2023 @ChennaiIPL