 "Sourav Ganguly handed a loss on coaching debut as Pretoria Capitals lose their SA20 opener to Joburg Super Kings")
Sourav Ganguly could not make a winning start to his coaching stint as Pretoria Capitals were defeated by Joburg Super Kings in the opening match of both the sides in the SA20. Marco Jansen’s brother Duan was the star for the Super Kings with his four-wicket spell helping the Johannesburg-based side win by 22 runs.
Duan’s four wickets for only 23 runs in four overs restricted the Capitals to 146-9 in 20 overs, 22 short of the Super Kings’ total of 168-6. Ganguly’s debut as coach was thus spoiled.
Capitals capitulate against Duan’s pace
The Capitals had won opted to bowl first after winning the toss and they started well with a couple of wickets in first four overs. Rillee Rusouw (48) and Wian Mulder (43) then put up a 78-run partnership to bring the Super Kings back in the game. A strong final flourish from Akeal Hossein (22*) helped Joburg get to 168-6 in 20 overs.
The Capitals were off to a solid start with Will Smeed (34) and Bryce Parsons (41) adding 71 runs for the first wicket in nine overs. However, in the next four overs, Ganguly saw his side losing five wickets for just 18 runs and the game turned on its head. The lower order could not find quick runs under pressure and the Capitals lost by 22 runs.
Even though it did not work well in the season opener, Ganguly will hope his big changes to the side will bring in better results. The former India captain, who was appointed coach in August 2025, brought Keshav Maharaj as the captain and also made the signing of the talented youngster Dewald Brevis. In fact, the look of the side this year is completely different from the last season where they could win only two of their 10 games.
Captain Maharaj admitted that the start for the side was not ideal but he remains confident for the coming games.
“Obviously, it’s the start of the game and the start of the competition. It’s not ideal to start this way, but, it’s good to get out all the cobwebs so that we get on ourselves and carry a bit of momentum into the next game. And the positives that we’ve done and build on the negatives,” said Maharaj after the loss.
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