‘Ye saal Orange Army ke naam’ – Fans react as Sunrisers Eastern Cape win inaugural edition of SA20

In the final match of the inaugural SA20 League, Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the title by defeating Pretoria Capitals by 4 wickets in Johannesburg on Sunday, February 12. The Aiden Markram-led side made it to the semifinals because of a good net run rate. Sunrisers decided to bowl first after winning the toss and their bowlers proved this decision absolutely right.

The Capitals were bundled out for just 135 runs in 19.3 overs. Kusal Mendis started really well and scored the highest innings of 21 runs on his behalf but got out on the last ball of the 4^th over. On the very next ball, Phil Salt also departed after scoring just 8 runs. Rilee Rossouw continued to go after the bowlers, but he was nipped out by Sisanda Magala. Later, no player was able to provide anything bid to the scoreboard

For Sunrisers, 38-year-old veteran player Roelof van der Merwe took the maximum of 4 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs. He has also adjudged the man of the match in the final match. Talking about Sunrisers Eastern Cap’s batting, their first wicket fell for just 11 runs, but after that, there was a 67-run partnership between Adam Rossington and Jordan Hermann, which almost ensured their victory.

It made me really happy: Aiden Markram

For Sunrisers, Rossington played an inning of 57 runs in 30 balls. Apart from him, captain Aiden Markram also took his team to victory by playing an inning of 26 runs in 19 balls. After that, in the end, Marco Jansen scored an unbeaten 13 runs in 11 balls to give the finishing touch. The man of the series of this tournament was given to Markram. Anrich Nortje and Adil Rashid bowled beautifully, but they just didn’t have enough runs on the board to defend.

Markram talked about their journey in the post-match presentation. “We were in a spot of bother (in the semis), and to come through for the team. It made me really happy. Overall very happy with how it went (with the ball) and grateful for this award. They’ve been by my side all the way (family),” he said.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/SirOggyBilla/status/1624783339814281216?s=20&t=i8GzZiuMuRN1cDweJ0BW4Q

https://twitter.com/itsyourlupin/status/1624781874836168704?s=20&t=i8GzZiuMuRN1cDweJ0BW4Q

https://twitter.com/ananya29_/status/1624782257297973253?s=20&t=i8GzZiuMuRN1cDweJ0BW4Q

https://twitter.com/RahulKerra/status/1624803393868005376?s=20&t=i8GzZiuMuRN1cDweJ0BW4Q

Temba Bavuma is the reason. He has really some luck

— dinesh dinu (@dinesh_offl_06) February 12, 2023

Even temba bavuma has a league trophy and then there is king 👑 🤣🤣

— hm (@hm95090172) February 12, 2023

https://twitter.com/meraj15527914/status/1624781945048797190?s=20&t=i8GzZiuMuRN1cDweJ0BW4Q

Happy for Kavya Maran ❤️🤌 pic.twitter.com/SrIr8dzHfj

— Arpit Khare (@ak_shoots) February 12, 2023