Aiden Markram Career

Aiden Markram has had a stellar South African career (AP)

South Africa’s all-format stalwart Aiden Markram has carved a notable niche for himself within the cricketing spectrum through his exemplary batting and astute leadership skills. Renowned for his elegant stroke play and solid technique, the Centurion-born cricketer seamlessly transitions his game, be it while excelling as a death overs slogger in limited-overs internationals or by waiving off the new-ball as a Test opener.

Aiden Markram’s Early Career

At the age of 17, Aiden Markram contemplated giving up on the sport altogether, only to change his mind after receiving much encouragement from former Proteas wicketkeeper and domestic veteran Pierre de Bruyn. Pierre offered the then youngster a place in the University of Pretoria’s cricket academy, where a string of consistent batting performances eventually earned him a ticket for the 2014 Under-19 World Cup in the UAE.

2014 Under-19 World Cup Glory

Aiden Markram led South Africa’s Under-19 troops to country’s maiden junior World Cup glory in the 2014 edition of the tournament. Travelling to the UAE in February 2014 and accompanied by the likes of future stars Kagiso Rabada and Andile Phehlukwayo, a 19-year-old Markram showed early signs of his shrewd abilities as a leader, by commanding the young Proteas group towards an unbeaten run in the competition.

Aiden Markram ODI Career

Aiden Markram, at the age of 23, was tasked to lead South Africa in the last five ODIs of their six-match series against India in February 2018 after regular skipper Faf du Plessis was ruled out owing to a finger injury.

Becoming the second youngest South African to lead his country in ODIs after Graeme Smith, and the third with the least prior playing experience (three matches) in the world, Markram failed to inspire his group on his maiden leadership assignment as the Proteas slipped to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the visiting ‘Men in Blue’.

The short stand-in captaincy stint did not affect his batting form, as he was rewarded with a spot in South Africa’s squad for the 2019 World Cup in England. Unfortunately for him and the Proteas, Markram managed to score just 140 runs across six tournament innings at a below-par average of 23.23, as Faf du Plessis and co. finished at number seven in the 10-team competition.

Aiden Markram Test Career

Markram has had a topsy-turvy Test career [AP]

After minting a record 380 runs from his first four Test innings, Aiden Markram’s batting form underwent a minor dip until he resurrected his career with a fighting 143 against Australia at Kingsmead in March 2018. The cricketer scored another 152 later in the same series, this time underscoring South Africa’s 493-run victory at the Wanderers Stadium.

He also bludgeoned scores of 115, 47 and 96 in the space of three innings against West Indies in March 2023, to finish as the top-scorer for his side in their 2-0 series sweep at home.

From his Test debut in October 2017 till December 2023, Markram has featured in 36 matches for his country. The stylish batter recently scored a century against India under tough conditions.

Aiden Markram T20I Career

Aiden Markram made his T20I debut with a home game against Sri Lanka in March 2019. While the cricketer struggled to put runs on the board in his first two innings of the format, he produced three half-centuries in succession, all against Pakistan, in his three subsequent outings to signal a promising start to his T20I career.

Markram also packed a 26-ball 51* against West Indies, and a 25-ball 52* against England, both in a space of two weeks at the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE to underpin crucial victories for South Africa. In all, he has packed nine fifty-plus T20I scores, with the 48-ball 70 he hit against West Indies at Grenada in July 2021 being his magnum opus batting recital in the format.

Aiden Markram IPL Career

Aiden Markram made his IPL debut in 2021 after he was roped in by the Punjab Kings franchise. With 146 runs from just six innings to show for in his maiden season, the Centurion-born further enhanced his reputation as a perpetual T20 freelancer the following year at the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp.

Receiving an opportunity in the playing XI in each of SRH’s 14 games of the IPL 2022 season, Markram blasted 381 runs at a scorching strike-rate of nearly 140, with three dazzling half-centuries to his name.

The added burden of leadership did not seem to have suited Markram as the ‘Orange Army’ languished at the bottom of the IPL 2023 points table to become the cellar dwellers of the tournament during his tenure. After a poor 2023 season, Markram was eventually removed from the SRH captaincy.

Aiden Markram Career: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Aiden Markram made his international debut for South Africa?

A: Aiden Markram made his international debut for South Africa through a home Test match against Bangladesh at Potchefstroom in September 2017. The cricketer made his ODI debut the following month against the same opponents and his T20I debut against Sri Lanka at Centurion in March 2019.

Q: When was Aiden Markram appointed as captain of the South African cricket team?

A: Aiden Markram was appointed as South Africa’s T20I captain in March 2023 ahead of their three-match home series against West Indies. The Centurion-born cricketer also leads his country in ODIs on an interim basis.

Q: Is Aiden Markram the first South African captain to win the Under-19 World Cup?

A: Yes. Aiden Markram led South Africa to their first Under-19 World Cup title during the 2014 edition of the tournament in UAE. The then 19-year-old also bagged the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award for scoring 370 runs in the competition.

Q: Has Aiden Markram ever won an ICC recognition in his career?

A: Aiden Markram was named in ICC’s Men’s T20I Team of the Year for the year 2021.

Q: Which franchises has Aiden Markram played for in IPL and SA20?

A: Aiden Markram has played for Punjab Kings in IPL. He currently plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in IPL, and for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20.