IPL ROUNDUP: SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE TRIO SHINE

South Africa’s Betway SA20 stars made a major impression in Week 3 of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape trio Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) and Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants) have led the way with match-winning performances for their respective teams. 

There was also a welcome return to action for Pretoria Capitals fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who played his first game for the Kolkata Knight Riders this past week.

SUBLIME STUBBS

The 24-year-old has fitted neatly into the “finisher” role at Delhi Capitals with the talented young batter forming a solid partnership with Indian superstar KL Rahul in the middle-order. The pair put on a match-winning 111-run partnership against Royal Challengers Bangalore with Stubbs contributing a meaningful 38 not out off 23 balls. 

Stubbs was once again the glue that held the DC innings together against Rajasthan Royals with his undefeated 34 (18 balls, 4x4, 2x6) forming the basis of two rapid partnerships of 41 off 19 balls and 42 off the identical number of deliveries with Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma respectively.

Such is Stubbs' growing stature within the Capitals camp that he was handed the responsibility of facing up in the Super Over against the Royals. He did not disappoint, firing a six over deep midwicket, to maintain the Capitals’ unbeaten record. 

MARVELOUS MARKRAM

The Sunrisers skipper is the leading South African run-scorer in this season’s IPL with Markram having stroked 208 runs at a strike-rate of 150.72 in seven matches thus far. 

After a slow start to the competition, Markram has hit a purple patch with a couple of half-centuries and a 47 in his last three matches.

He was particularly good against Gujarat Titans, scoring 58 off just 31 balls (9x4, 1x6), and claimed two catches to win the Player of the Match award.

“You want to start the competition ahead of the game but I fell slightly behind,” Markram said. “A change in role was adjusting to that. Couldn't come off in the first few but grateful for the last couple of knocks.

“Schedules are packed so you're just hopping around playing lots of cricket. Lots to take in but ultimately you stick to your game. Some guys hit sixes for fun, but that's not my game.

“You can easily [get sucked into trying to hit sixes]. But you always end up going back to your game as a player and if that's good enough for selection ... and the team can benefit, that's the most important.”

MAGICAL MARCO

The lanky fast bowler awoke from his slumber in spectacular fashion this past week with the left-arm seamer claiming 3/17 to help Punjab Kings dismiss Kolkata Knight Riders for just 95 in response to PK’s 111.

It set a new record in the IPL for the lowest score defended.

There was also a cameo with the bat against Chennai Super Kings with Jansen’s long levers helping him to smash 34 not out off just 19 balls (2x4, 2x6).

KOLKATA EXPRESS ANRICH NORTJE

It has been a long time since we’ve seen Anrich Nortje charge in and send down his thunderbolts. The fast bowler has missed the last two Betway SA20 seasons which has heavily impacted the Pretoria Capitals fortunes.

But Nortje was back and bristled into the crease and showed he could still top the 150km/mark.

TOP SA20 RUN-SCORERS IN IPL 2025

Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants) | Total: 208 runs | Best: 58 vs Gujarat Titans (12/4/2025)

Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | Total: 173 runs | Best: 34 vs Rajasthan Royals (23/3/2025)

Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals) | Total: 152 runs | Best: 38* vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10/4/2025)

TOP SA20 WICKET-TAKERS IN IPL 2025

Noor Ahmad (Chennai Super Kings) | Total: 12 wickets | Best: 4/18 vs Mumbai Indians

Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings) | Total: 7 wickets | Best: 2/28 vs Rajasthan Royals (30/3/2025)

Maheesh Theekshana (Rajasthan Royals) | Total: 7 wickets | Best: 2/26 vs Punjab Kings (5/4/2025)