Aiden Markram, two-time title-winning captain of Sunrisers Japanese Cape (SEC), has determined to half methods with the Kavya Maran-owned franchise. The stunning transfer comes after Markram, extensively thought to be the face of the franchise and probably the most constant performers within the league, opted to check his worth within the open market by getting into the public sale pool.
Aiden Markram’s exit: Finish of an excellent period for Sunrisers Japanese Cape
The Sunrisers Japanese Cape, co-owned by Indian businesswoman Kavya Maran, have flourished underneath Markram’s management. The Proteas star piloted SEC to consecutive championship titles in 2023 and 2024, and guided them to a runner-up end within the 2025 season, ending because the third-highest run-scorer. His launch is extensively seen as probably the most important developments within the league’s brief historical past.
Markram reportedly knowledgeable the franchise that he wished to discover alternatives elsewhere by getting into the public sale, regardless of SEC retaining the right-to-match (RTM) choice to doubtlessly purchase him again. This opens the door to a possible bidding struggle, as Markram’s management and all-round abilities make him a extremely sought-after asset.
The 2026 SA20 offseason has seen different main stars launched as properly, with Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis becoming a member of Markram in heading to the public sale desk. The wage cap has been upped to Rand 41 million, and for the primary time, groups can use a wildcard choice to signal one extra high-profile participant outdoors the common purse. These modifications set the stage for a record-breaking public sale on September 9, the place a complete of 72 slots might be accessible throughout six franchises.
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Record of gamers retained for SA 2025-26:
1. Durban Tremendous Giants
- Pre-signing: Sunil Narine, Jos Buttler
- Retained: Noor Ahmed
- Wild Card: Heinrich Klaasen
2. MI Cape City
- Retained: Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Ryan Rickleton, Kagiso Rabada, George Linde, Corbin Bosch
- Pre-signing: Nicholas Pooran
3. Paarl Royals
- Retained: Lhuan-de-Pretorius, David Miller, Bjorn Fortuin
- Pre-signing: Sikandar Raza, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman
4. Pretoria Capitals
- Pre-signing: Andre Russell, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford
5. Johannesburg Tremendous Kings
- Retained: Faf du Plessis, Donovan Ferreira
- Pre-signing: James Vince, Akeal Hosein
6. Sunrisers Japanese Cape
- Retained: Tristan Stubbs
- Pre-signing: Jonny Bairstow, AM Ghazanfar, Adam Milne
- Wild Card: Marco Jansen
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