‘Sourav Ganguly was amazing at that…’: How the former India captain transformed Pretoria Capitals without talking only about cricket

When Sourav Ganguly stepped into the role of head coach for Pretoria Capitals, many expected the former India captain to bring tactical brilliance and aggressive cricketing strategies. While those qualities certainly played a part, it was something far less visible that left the biggest impact.

According to Pretoria Capitals captain Keshav Maharaj, Ganguly’s greatest achievement during the SA20 Season 4 campaign was creating an environment where players genuinely enjoyed being together. That strong team culture ultimately helped Pretoria Capitals reach the tournament final, finishing runners-up after a narrow six-run defeat against Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Speaking about Ganguly’s first stint as a head coach, Maharaj praised the legendary cricketer for putting equal emphasis on relationships, trust, and team spirit instead of focusing solely on performances on the field.”Sourav was amazing at building the team culture. There was a real buzz and energy in the camp, and everyone bought into what we were trying to achieve,” Maharaj said.

The Capitals regularly spent time together away from the cricket field, sharing dinners, watching matches as a group, and discussing the game in a relaxed atmosphere. According to Maharaj, these simple moments strengthened the dressing room and created a united squad that played for one another throughout the competition.

A remarkable turnaround under Ganguly

Pretoria Capitals entered the season looking to recover from a disappointing previous campaign. Under Ganguly’s leadership, however, the franchise completely changed its fortunes.

The team consistently produced impressive performances throughout the tournament before booking a place in the SA20 final. Although the title ultimately went to three-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Pretoria Capitals earned widespread praise for their resilience and consistency.

For Maharaj, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just reaching the final—it was laying the foundation for sustained success.

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He believes the values established during Ganguly’s first season as head coach can continue shaping the franchise for years to come.

Looking ahead to another title challenge

Pretoria Capitals will now have an immediate opportunity to settle unfinished business when the new SA20 season begins.

The franchise opens its campaign against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on January 17 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, setting up a blockbuster rematch of last season’s final.

Having come within one victory of lifting their maiden SA20 trophy, Pretoria Capitals will hope the culture created by Ganguly and Maharaj can once again drive the team towards championship glory.

While trophies remain the ultimate goal, the former India captain has already demonstrated that building a successful cricket team often starts far away from the boundary ropes—with trust, unity, and a dressing room that believes in one another.