The news brings a big blow for Kavya Maran’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape team. Captain Aiden Markram decided to leave his successful cricket team recently. He wants to join the players’ auction for the SA20 2026 season. The team owner and fans feel shocked by this sudden decision.
His captaincy brought two SA20 championships to the Eastern Cape team. The first trophy came in 2023, followed by another victory in 2024. Markram’s smart decisions on the field made the difference in crucial matches.
Players trusted his leadership during pressure situations throughout both winning campaigns. The team also reached the final match in the 2025 season. They finished as runners-up last year after a tough fight.
Markram’s leadership kept the team competitive throughout these three successful seasons.
Markram’s Great Performance Record
The 2025 SA20 season saw Markram score runs consistently for his team. His bat produced many match-winning performances throughout that tournament year. Only two other players managed to score more runs than he did.
The captain told Kavya Maran about his decision before the July 23 announcement. He asked the team management not to include him in retention. This created a big blow for Kavya Maran’s Sunrisers management and supporters alike.
Also Read: Ben Stokes Demands Over-Rate Difference
Team officials respected his choice but felt disappointed about losing him. Markram’s departure means the franchise must find a new captain soon. Finding someone with his experience and success will prove very challenging.
SEC retained Tristan Stubbs, Jonny Bairstow, and Adam Milne, and selected Marco Jansen as their wildcard player.
Player Auction Creates New Opportunities
The SA20 2026 player auction will happen on September 9 this year. Markram plans to explore fresh opportunities with different cricket teams there. Many franchises will likely bid high amounts to secure his services.
However, Sunrisers Eastern Cape still holds special rights to bring him back. They possess a right-to-match card for the upcoming auction process. This means they can match any other team’s highest bid for Markram.
The franchise can re-sign its former captain if it chooses this option. This possibility gives hope to Sunrisers fans who want him back desperately.
Big Changes Coming to SA20 Tournament
The SA20 2026 auction will be much bigger than in previous years. 72 spots remain open across all six participating cricket franchises. Teams can spend up to R41 million on new player signings.
Also Read: Karun Nair Returns to Karnataka Cricket
This increased budget equals approximately 2.31 million US dollars per team. More money means teams can attract better international cricket stars now. The tournament is expected to become more exciting with these top players.
