Top 3 ODI Innings By Aiden Markram
Markram elated after scoring his first World Cup ton. (AP)
When Aiden Markram burst onto the scene, everyone marveled at the special talent he possessed. However, like many players before him and in the current lot, Markram also experienced the pressure of meeting people's expectations and living up to the fans' hype. A young Markram solidified his place in the Test team as a permanent member, after scoring big runs against Australia in the home series.
However, doubts lingered over his adaptability as an ODI player. Despite making a fifty in his ODI debut in 2017, Markram struggled to find his rhythm. It took him five years to achieve his first ODI century, which occurred earlier this year. This year has been particularly special for Markram, the ODI batter, as he has already accumulated 997 runs in the one-day format with a staggering average of 52.47. He boasts three centuries and five fifties in 23 innings.
Just three runs shy of completing 1000 ODI runs this year, he aims to achieve this milestone when he takes the field on Thursday in Paarl. On that note, let's highlight Markram's top three ODI knocks.
106 (54) vs Sri Lanka, Delhi
Markram smashed the fastest ton by a Proteas batter in the World Cup history. (AP)
In South Africa's first match in the 2023 World Cup, Markram delivered a breathtaking performance that left spectators in awe with his blitzkrieg against Sri Lanka. The 29-year-old created havoc with a remarkable 49-ball century, setting the record for the fastest ODI World Cup hundred by a batter. Despite Delhi's reputation for low-scoring matches, the pitch offered little for the bowlers as batsmen dominated the proceedings. Both Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen played outstanding innings, with De Kock scoring 100 off 84 balls and Rassie contributing a brilliant 110-ball 108.
Facing two new batters, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen, Sri Lanka hoped to gain control, but Markram astounded everyone by effortlessly hitting boundaries. After a slow start with nine runs off his first ten balls, Markram shifted gears and completed his half-century in just 34 balls. Markram's onslaught continued, reaching his century in a mere 49 balls, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 194.3. He smashed 14 boundaries and three sixes during his remarkable 106-run innings, contributing significantly to South Africa's colossal total of 428/5.
175 (126) vs Netherlands, Johannesburg
Markram went big against the Netherlands. (AP)
Markram wreaked havoc in the third and final rescheduled ODI against the Netherlands, turning his maiden ODI century into a 'daddy hundred' against the struggling Dutch bowling attack. During the match on "Pink Day" in Johannesburg, after the Netherlands won the toss and chose to field, Markram entered the crease at No. 4, delivering a spectacular performance for the Wanderers crowd by smashing 17 fours and seven sixes.
Batting at No. 4, Markram crafted an extraordinary innings, scoring 175 off 126 balls after the Dutch opted to bowl first on a promising batting track at the Wanderers. With 17 fours and seven sixes, Markram reached his maiden ODI century but narrowly missed the opportunity for the first double-century of ODIs by a South African, getting caught by Tom Cooper off Fred Klaassen's delivery in the 46th over.
Markram's partnership with David Miller (91) resulted in a remarkable 199-run stand for the fifth wicket, propelling the Proteas to a formidable total of 370/8. In response, the Netherlands faltered and were bowled out for 224 in 39.1 overs, leading to a 146-run victory for South Africa. The Proteas also secured the series 2-0.
91 (93) vs Pakistan, Chennai
Markram scored a valiant 91 vs Pakistan. (AP)
Markram became South Africa's savor in Chennai. In pursuit of a challenging 271-run target, the Proteas witnessed another stellar performance from the ever-reliable Markram in the World Cup. Markram showed his class and played a sensible knock against the Pakistani bowlers, guiding his team to a win.
Despite missing out on a well-deserved century, Markram played a crucial innings, scoring 91 runs off 93 balls, featuring seven fours and three sixes. His remarkable knock now stands as the highest individual score by a South African player against Pakistan in the World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 77 runs set by AB de Villiers in the 2015 edition.
Markram's efforts contributed significantly to the Proteas' success as they ultimately won the match by one wicket, ascending Proteas to the top of the points table then.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
