Keshav Maharaj credits Sourav Ganguly for Pretoria Capitals’ SA20 success

Pretoria Capitals skipper Keshav Maharaj has credited the work of head coach Sourav Ganguly for the team’s success in the 2025-26 season of the SA20.

Maharaj & Co. finished runners-up in the tournament, losing out in the final after a dominant run in the league stage, where they finished second. They picked up five wins and four losses in ten games and dominated in Qualifier 1 before falling short in the summit clash. Maharaj has credited Ganguly, the head coach, for inculcating a positive team environment, which played a vital role in the team’s success.

“I think in tournaments like this, you’ve got to build a nice team culture around everything, and Sourav was amazing at that. We had a lot of guys that bought into what we tried to achieve. Often during the competition, when we weren’t playing, we’d get in the team room, have dinner together, watch other games, and chat cricket.

“There was a real buzz and energy within the camp, which was a privilege to be a part of. To create something so special in the first season was really exciting. Hopefully, we can build on that, and that will last for generations to come,” Maharaj told ahead of SA20.

The Capitals kick off their campaign in the 2026-27 season against their final opponents from the previous year, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The Capitals lost by six wickets despite their star batter Dewald Brevis scoring a century in the clash. Maharaj preferred to look past the result and focus on starting the season strongly.

“It’s always going to be the case to the public (revenge), but I think it’s just about putting our best foot forward. We know it’s always important to start the competition really well on the front foot, and to do it against the defending champions would be a nice step in the right direction towards the new season,” Maharaj added.

Maharaj, who played the first three seasons for Durban’s Super Giants, made his switch to Pretoria ahead of Season 4. He was influential for the side with the ball, taking 12 wickets in 12 games at an economy rate of 6.54. The Capitals have called SuperSport Park in Centurion their home ground, with Maharaj thanking the spectators at the venue for their support.

“When I made the transition to play in Pretoria, that was one of the things I looked forward to – seeing the crowd – and they really didn’t disappoint. They exceeded every bit of my expectations.

“To see them through good and bad times, the crowd at Centurion was phenomenal, and long may that continue. It’s a wonderful place to play cricket, to embrace the fans, and for the fans to embrace us the way they did was just what we needed to spur us to get into the final,” Maharaj said.

The opening match between the Capitals and the Sunrisers will be played on January 17, 2027, at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The final will take place on February 21, 2027, at Newlands in Cape Town.