Under pressure Proteas skipper Markram backed to bag runs soon
Aiden Markram hasn't hit a T20 half-century in over two years and in his third innings against India, has managed just 40 runs.
Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram. Picture: @ProteasMenCSA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Proteas can save their T20 international series against India with a win in the fourth and final game at the Wanderers on Friday.
The world champions lead the series 2-1 after winning the third T20 at Centurion by 11 runs, a result which ensured captain Aiden Markram’s unwanted record of never leading his team to a series win in the format would continue.
Leading a South African national team isn’t an easy task. Along with all the demands of the job, a nation obsessed with winning expects the captain to be a star and Markram is struggling to perform under the pressures of his position at the moment.
Markram hasn't hit a T20 half-century in over two years and in his third innings against India, has managed just 40 runs.
SuperSport cricket commentator Natalie Germanos reckons Markram has changed his approach to batting since he took over as captain and deviating from his natural game has had an impact on his form and the knock-on effect is evident with the rest of the batting order.
"He sets a very high standard for himself, so there's no doubt he would be feeling the pressure because he is so important to the South African batting lineup. When he scores runs, it takes pressure off everybody else and he's also a match-winner as well. So, it is crucial for South Africa and Aiden Markram for him to find some kind of form. There's no doubt there's pressure on him and he'll be wanting just to turn his fortunes around as captain," Germanos said.
Markram has received backing from some of his teammates after his knock of 29 on Wednesday. His innings started well and he showed glimpses of the quality he possesses before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.
SA wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen thinks his skipper could be close to returning to his best.
"He was looking fantastic in the way he was striking the ball (on Wednesday night). It’s nice to see he’s finding some rhythm in his game and hopefully, he’ll kick on," Klaasen said.
The last game of the series between the Proteas and India starts at 17:00 on Friday.