Is Keshav Maharaj the New Captain of Pretoria Capitals for SA20 Season 4?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Keshav Maharaj takes over as captain for Pretoria Capitals.
- New coaching staff includes Sourav Ganguly and Shaun Pollock.
- Capitals aim for a strong comeback after mixed results in previous seasons.
- Major signings in the auction include Dewald Brevis and others.
- Season begins on December 26, 2023.
Pretoria, Dec 12 (NationPress) - South Africa’s talented left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been appointed as the captain of Pretoria Capitals for the forthcoming SA20 season four, as announced by the franchise on Friday.
Maharaj, who previously captained the Durban Super Giants in the last season, will succeed Rilee Rossouw at the helm of the Capitals.
Described as one of South Africa’s most esteemed and seasoned leaders, Maharaj possesses a rich background in international cricket across formats, combined with a solid history of leading teams with poise, clarity, and purpose.
“Having captained South Africa in white-ball formats and being a senior figure in the national team for many years, Maharaj brings a wealth of leadership experience, strategic insight, and reliability, making him an indispensable asset in this role. His inclusion enhances the balance and direction of the Pretoria Capitals squad as they approach the new season,” the franchise stated in a press release.
Additionally, the Capitals will debut a revamped coaching staff, featuring former India captain Sourav Ganguly as the head coach, assisted by former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock.
During the September auction, the Capitals were particularly active, wielding the largest budget of 32.5 million rand to fill 16 slots. They set a new SA20 pay record by acquiring explosive batter Dewald Brevis for 16.5 million rand, alongside signing Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, Craig Overton, Saqib Mahmood, and Codi Yusuf.
Former IPL star Andre Russell, who has transitioned to a coaching role with Kolkata Knight Riders, was brought in as a wild card, while Will Jacks and Sherfane Rutherford were retained ahead of the auction.
The franchise has experienced a mixed journey in the league thus far. They finished first in the group stage during the inaugural season but lost in the final to Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The following two seasons saw them finishing fifth, narrowly missing out on playoff qualifications.
The new SA20 season is set to kick off on December 26, with MI Cape Town facing Durban’s Super Giants. The Capitals will commence their campaign the following day against Joburg Super Kings, with the final scheduled for January 25, 2026.