South African batsman Aiden Markram has made a stunning call ahead of the upcoming SA20 2026 season, deciding to leave Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the team led two titles. The veteran South African batsman has opted to enter the player auction, which is scheduled to be on 9 September.
Aiden Markram enjoyed success as captain of Sunrisers Eastern Cape, guiding the team in 2023 and 2024 for the back-to-back SA20 titles. He took the team to the finals in the 2025 season, which ended as a runner-up. Markram also abolished the 2025 campaign as the third largest run-scorer in the T20 tournament.
Aiden Markram Parts Sun20 with Eatern Cape SA20 2026 auction
According to a report by Espncricinfo, Aiden Markram informed the Sunrisers Eastern Cape that it would not be part of its retention list for the SA20 2026 season. He will enter the player’s auction on 9 September.
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“EspNcricinfo has learned that Markram told the franchise that he wanted to be prominent to the auction that would be held on 9 September,” read in the report.
The 30 -year -old expressed his decision to manage the team led by Kavya Maran, ahead of the official retention announcement on 23 July. However, the franchise still holds the Wright-to-Match (RTM) card, giving them the option to re-sign them during the auction while matching the highest bid.
“However, Sunrisers will have the option to use a right-to-match-card to buy Markram back.”
Aiden Markram’s SA20 2026 Auction Spark Decision to enter interest
Aiden Markram, who captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first IPL, was released before the 2025 mega auction and was later signed by Lucknow Super Veterans. His decision to enter the SA20 2026 auction has created interest among cricket fans.
The upcoming auction is the largest since the launch of the SA20 in 2022, with 102 total squad spots available in six franchises. In particular, the salary cap has been extended to R41 million (about USD 2.31 million).
This gives teams more financial flexibility to target top level talent. It is also worth noting that the SA20 2026 is expected to be available on 26 December and with a minimum overlap with ILT20, a broad pool of players is expected to be available.
Franchise declares retrograde and pre-stars before auction
Next to the SA20 2026 season, six franchisees have announced their retention and pre-stable decisions. MI Cape Town has retained Trent Bault, Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, and Nicholas Gorn has secured Gorn as a pre–compacted addition.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape retained Triston Stabs, added Johnny Bairstow and Adam Milne, and chose Marco Jansen as his wildcard pick. Johannesburg Super Kings retained FAF Do Plessis and Donovan Pharera, bringing James Wins and Akil Hosin.
Pretoria Capital pre-composed Andre Russell, Will Jack and Sherfen Rutherford. Parl Royals retained David Miller and signed Alexander Raza and Mujib ur Rehman. Durban Super Veterans retained Noor Ahmed, selected Henriques Klassen as their wildcards, and Sunil Narin and Jose Butler pre-composed.
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