Keshav Maharaj returns to Kingsmead in a different shade of blue for the Betway SA20 Season 4 Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Wednesday, but his vast knowledge of the conditions will certainly play a significant role for the Pretoria Capitals.
Maharaj is a son of the Durban soil and knows Kingsmead better than anyone. From the way the surface will behave when the tide comes from the east coast to the dryness of the soil.
It was certainly evident during the group stage match against his former team, Durban’s Super Giants, when Maharaj delivered an economical spell, conceding just 22 runs in his four overs, in a high-scoring game.
“I’ve played first-class cricket here for the last 20 years. I understand the conditions,” he said.
“Things have changed, a new groundsman taking over, so it’s about assessing the conditions on the day, and getting the boys rallied up to play with high energy and high intensity.”
The Capitals will certainly not be lacking any motivation, having qualified for the playoffs for the first time since Season 1.
They will be facing a seasoned Sunrisers outfit, who are perennial playoff contenders, having reached the knockout stages in each of the four seasons.
In fact, the Capitals and Sunrisers have not met in a SA20 playoff game since the inaugural final at Wanderers back in 2023.
The Sunrisers triumphed that day to collect the first of their back-to-back championships, whilst the Capitals went on a downward spiral from thereon.
Off to Durban for Qualifier 1 💪🏼
Thank you, Centurion. Thank you, Pitori. We’ll carry your support with us and make you proud.#CapitalsRebuild #PretoriaLetsRoar #BetwaySA20 pic.twitter.com/iVrB96nK7z
— Pretoria Capitals (@PretoriaCapsSA) January 19, 2026
But under a new coach in Indian legend Sourav Ganguly and captain Maharaj, the Capitals have returned to winning ways, even though it was some indifferent form that eventually saw them qualify for the playoffs.
They have particularly shown a greater resilience, especially after coming back from 7/5 in their last match against Joburg Super Kings to still go on and win the game.
Maharaj believes the Wanderers heist is now a representation of this new Capitals side.
“The word character is a big part of our team, and we showed that in the game when we were 7/5 and all odds were against us when two characters in Sherfane and Dewald stood up,” Maharaj said.
“There is a lot of belief that if there is a situation we can find a way to get through it.”
A major hurdle that stands in the way of the Capitals’ quest is in-form Sunrisers opener Quinton de Kock. The veteran left-hander is back to his belligerent best and has been crucial in the Sunrisers’ drive to the top of the table after the group standings.
Maharaj knows that they need to find a way to halt the De Kock steam train.
“He has been phenomenal. Ever since he returned to international cricket, he is back to the Quinny we know him to be,” he said.
“We’ll come up with some good plans, but he is playing exceptional cricket, so we have to be on our A-game from ball 1.
We are still in search of playing a clinical game of cricket in all facets of the game. Hopefully that holds us in good stead and we can peak at the right time in this competition.”
