Photo Credit: SA20 League
Keshav Maharaj is “super excited” to lead Durban’s Super Giants after being appointed the franchise’s new captain for Betway SA20 Season 2.
Maharaj replaces his Proteas teammate Quinton de Kock, who led the KwaZulu-Natal franchise in its inaugural season.
The Super Giants narrowly missed out on qualifying for the playoffs under De Kock after the eventual champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Paarl Royals edged out DSG on net run-rate.
Maharaj boasts plenty of domestic leadership experience, having previously led his local KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins team. He also led Proteas’ Men’s side international in seven ODIs and five T20Is between 2021 and 2022.
The left-arm spinner’s vast knowledge of the conditions at Kingsmead would no doubt have been a contributing factor in his appointment.
“I am super happy, humbled and privileged to accept the opportunity as the captain of the DSG franchise in the next SA20 league,” Maharaj said.
“I am super excited, being a Durban boy – been here 18 years of my life, and it’s a place that I call home for me. So I am hoping I can bring some performances from domestic cricket into the SA20, from a leadership perspective and from a player’s perspective.”
De Kock will, though, remain an integral part of the Super Giants squad after being one of six pre-signed DSG players for Betway SA20 Season 2. The remaining five are his West Indian opening partner Kyle Mayers, England’s Reece Topley, spinner Prenelan Subrayen and new acquisitions Sri Lankan top-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen Ul Haq.
Maharaj admitted that he will certainly continue to lean on De Kock’s tactical nous and experience moving forward.
“I’d like to thank Quinny for all the hard work that he has done on and off the field,” Maharaj said. “However, his job is not over. He is still a leader within the team and his experience and knowledge of the game is invaluable to this unit. And it’s going to be a large and integral part to play for us in terms of bringing the trophy to Durban this year.”
Maharaj is currently on the road to recovery after suffering a freak Achilles rupture while celebrating a wicket during the second Betway Test against the West Indies at the Wanderers in March earlier this year.
