betvisa888Aiden Markram parts ways with Kavya Maran-owned SA20 franchise; full list of retained players inside

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Aiden Markram’s exit: End of a glorious era for Sunrisers Eastern Cape
List of players retained for SA 2025-26

Aiden Markram, two-time title-winning captain of Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), has decided to part ways with the Kavya Maran-owned franchise. The surprising move comes after Markram, widely regarded as the face of the franchise and one of the most consistent performers in the league, opted to test his value in the open market by entering the auction pool.

Aiden Markram’s exit: End of a glorious era for Sunrisers Eastern Cape

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, co-owned by Indian businesswoman Kavya Maran, have flourished under Markram’s leadership. The Proteas star piloted SEC to consecutive championship titles in 2023 and 2024, and guided them to a runner-up finish in the 2025 season, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer. His release is widely seen as one of the most significant developments in the league’s short history.

Markram reportedly informed the franchise that he wanted to explore opportunities elsewhere by entering the auction, despite SEC retaining the right-to-match (RTM) option to potentially buy him back. This opens the door to a potential bidding war, as Markram’s leadership and all-round skills make him a highly sought-after asset.

The 2026 SA20 offseason has seen other major stars released as well, with Quinton de Kock and Dewald Brevis joining Markram in heading to the auction table. The salary cap has been upped to Rand 41 million, and for the first time, teams can use a wildcard option to sign one additional high-profile player outside the regular purse. These changes set the stage for a record-breaking auction on September 9, where a total of 72 slots will be available across six franchises.

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