Markram leaves an everlasting stamp on South Africa’s biggest success.
• South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, faced criticism after a seven-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup final.
• Markram had to explain why his team failed to secure a favourable position in a run chase of 177.
• However, within a year, Markram had his redemption, leading South Africa to win the World Test Championship final against Australia.
• Markram, adjudged the Player-of-the-Match, produced a monumental 136 in the fourth innings to help South Africa chase down 282.
• Despite the psychological toll of last year’s T20 World Cup final, Markram remained unbeaten on 102 with South Africa needing just 69 more runs to complete the win.
• Markram’s performance against Australia was his best, with three of his eight hundreds in the five-day version coming against Josh Hazlewood.
• Despite his disappointment, Markram was praised by all Australian players and spectators, leading to a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd.
• Markram has made a significant impact in South African cricket, despite the absence of many greats since the country’s readmission into international cricket in 1991.
• Despite the odds being stacked against South Africa, Markram stood out with his icy temperament.
• He was dismissed for a blob in the first over, but later displayed his strength with exquisite boundaries and deft late cuts.
• Markram also faced Nathan Lyon’s off-breaks, demonstrating his ability to conquer quicks.
• Despite facing 270 deliveries from Lyon in his Test career, Markram never was dismissed.
• His average in South African cricket is in the mid-30s after 46 Tests.
• Markram’s best performances are often against Australia, with three of his eight hundreds in the five-day version coming against the Australians.
• Markram’s handling pressure skills were honed before his senior debut in 2017, when he was the skipper of the South African junior side that won the U-19 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
• Markram believes that the big games bring out the best in him, not just numbers and stats.
• He aims to build on his glory and hopes to continue his success in the future.