Pretoria Capitals reached the final in the previous season but did not win the tournament. The franchise appointed Sourav Ganguly as head coach for the SA20 2026 season, replacing Jonathan Trott who departed just before Ganguly’s arrival. Ganguly brings extensive experience from his work in cricket operations with Delhi Capitals and JSW’s franchise network.
Ganguly outlined the franchise’s strategy ahead of the SA20 Season 5 auction, emphasising the strength of the retained core. The squad includes Phil Salt, Dewald Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford. Dewald Brevis was signed for R16.5 million, making him the most expensive buy in SA20 tournament history, while Keshav Maharaj, who captains the side, was picked up for R1.7 million.
Ganguly expressed confidence in the retained players and outlined how the franchise would approach the auction process. The head coach emphasised that the core group had delivered in the previous season and would form the foundation for another title push.
“We were in the final last season, and we didn’t finish the job. This time, we have come back stronger. Phil Salt is back, and we have retained the players who delivered for us — Dewald Brevis, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi. Add the firepower of Andre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford, along with some very good domestic talent coming through, and the core is in a good place. There are five spots left, and we will go into the auction knowing exactly what we need,” Ganguly told the franchise.
Ganguly’s vision for the retained squad
Pretoria Capitals held the largest purse at R32.5 million after retaining three overseas players. This financial position gives the franchise considerable flexibility in the auction market. With five spots remaining to be filled, the team will target specific areas of need to complete their squad for the season. The franchise’s strategy reflects confidence in the retained core and a measured approach to building depth across all departments.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the SA20 in 2023 and 2024. However, their streak was broken by MI Cape Town in 2025. However, the Sunrisers reclaimed the title earlier this year, beating the Capitals in the final.
