Maharaj: Capitals ready to start Season 5 on the front foot

Pretoria Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj says his team will be fully focused on making a statement in their Betway SA20 Season 5 opener against reigning champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, 17 January 2027.

Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape delivered a thrilling Season 4 Final, with Maharaj’s charges falling just short in the last over. The two SA20 giants will now be pitted against each other first up in a repeat of the Newlands thriller, with the Capitals having an early chance to avenge last season’s showpiece defeat.

Maharaj prefers not to focus on the past and is instead looking forward to putting together another title-challenging season.

“It's always going to be the case to the public (revenge), but I think it's just about putting our best foot forward,” Maharaj said. “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.”

The veteran left-arm spinner enjoyed an excellent maiden season at the Capitals after moving up north from Durban’s Super Giants. He claimed 12 wickets in 12 matches with an economy rate of 6.54 and best figures of 3/15, and led the Capitals back to the Playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

He believes this success was due to the positive team culture fostered by Capitals head coach Sourav Ganguly.

“I think in tournaments like this, you've got to build a nice team culture around everything, and Sourav was amazing at that,” Maharaj said.

“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,” he added.

The Capitals captain was also full of praise for the home support at Centurion during Season 4 and is looking forward to the famous grass banks being filled once again for the opening home match against Durban’s Super Giants on Tuesday, 19 January.

“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,” Maharaj said.

“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.”