The 27-year-old fast bowler was in the IPL auction along with the 21-year-old Gerald Coetzee, however, neither player was drafted.

On Tuesday, Cricket South Africa confirmed that Coetzee is in the SA A squads to tour Zimbabwe for three One-Dayers and five T20’s.

The Knights coach, JP Triegaardt, confirmed to OFM Sport that Pretorius is with the Mumbai Indians and he welcomes the experience that will be gained at arguably the biggest T20 league in the world.

“He has been with the Mumbai Indians for two weeks already and it's massive for the Knights to have a player at the IPL.

“We are just honoured and pleased that a few of the guys have been recognised at the highest level as well.

“The two frontline bowlers in the Knights attack have both been given an opportunity to play at the highest level and also to gain experience amongst players who have done this for years.

“For us it is massive and the experience they are going to bring back to impact the younger players is also good for us. We are very proud of and happy for both of them.”

In 2021, Coetzee linked up with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL as a replacement for the English cricketer, Liam Livingstone. Livingstone withdrew from the tournament on the subcontinent due to ‘bio-bubble fatigue’.

Pretorius has previously played for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League, where he was one of the leading bowlers in the competition.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport