AN INDIAN SUMMER AWAITS

Photos: EPA | ICC.com By: ZAAHIER ADAMS

THERE is something about the land of Sheikhs, sand and skyscrapers that brings a glint to Aiden Markram’s eye.

It is in the United Arab Emirates that a teenaged Markram lifted the ICC u-19 World Cup – still the only South African captain to achieve this feat at any level – back in 2014. And now almost a decade later, he returned to sample his first taste of the Indian Premier League with the Punjab Kings, followed by being named in the official ICC T20 World Cup XI after a successful tournament with the Proteas.

The intervening years away from the desert, particularly in white-ball cricket, have not always been kind to Markram as he navigated the transition from being a youthful prodigy to world-class international cricketer.

The added responsibility of being burdened with the Proteas ODI leadership at just 23 for a high-profile home series against India in 2018 had an adverse effect on Markram, forcing him into the wilderness for a few years.

But he will now have an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past when India return to South Africa this summer for a bumper all-format tour consisting of three Test matches, three ODI’s and four T20I’s.

Below: Markram has matured greatly since the last time he met Virat Kohli’s Indian team in South Africa.

The 27-year-old is expected to be an integral part of the Proteas squads across all three formats, particularly in the Test arena where he returns to open the batting with captain Dean Elgar.

“Personally, I think it is about setting up a very good foundation for the team with Dean. If we can get off to good scores upfront against the better teams, it does sort of calm things down so they can come in and do their thing. That is where I am at,” Markram said.

The India series will certainly be a stern test of Markram’s and the Proteas’ resolve following their positive showing at the T20 World Cup. The tourists are no longer the feeble Indian teams of the past who rolled over at the mere prospect of facing a South African pace attack on the Highveld.

They possess a power-packed batting unit, led by captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara, while also having fearsome set of seamers themselves in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and the ever-green Ishant Sharma.

“Naturally, we want to beat India. Their Test side and their white-ball teams are up there with the very best. It is going to be a massive challenge for us. It is something we are going to put a lot of emphasis on in terms of getting a positive result,” Markram said. “The focus will definitely be about getting a positive result against, although obviously understanding that they are a powerhouse side.” Aiden Markram was on fire at the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE earning selection to the official ICC T20 World Cup XI.

Aiden Markram was on fire at the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE earning selection to the official ICC T20 World Cup XI.