Markram who?

The stand-in South Africa cricket captain, Aiden Markram may have little experience to show against his name but the selectors have faith that the man entrusted can go a long way. He is touted South Africa cricket’s future frontman.

The right-hander Markram had played just two one-day games for his country before taking captaincy. It makes him 10^thyoungest ODI captain and the youngest South African behind legendary skipper Graeme Smith, who was chosen at the age of 22.

Can he emulate Smith?

Not just in the ODIs against India but Markram is touted South Africa’s permanent frontrunner. Markram has only been around this team for eight months, since making his Test debut on the England tour last year.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bedl1RfladH/?taken-by=aidenmarkram

The most successful cricket captain for South Africa, Graeme Smith had played 22 ODIs and spent 12 months with the national side before he became the skipper of the national side.

Selector Linda Zondi on Markram:

Aiden has done very well in franchise cricket. To be honest, it has already give us enough confidence to make him captain. Granted, he has no senior experience but we know him from his U-19 days. This really isn’t a decision we’re shy to make.

We are aware that Markram is new to our set-up. Part of our plan is to also build that pool of leaders within the set-up. I think Markram has always been in our plans since he was U-19 captain, leading up to SA ‘A’, and now joining the Proteas. Yes, there will be pressure in terms of him maybe understanding his role and also being able to perform as a player. We think he has the right skill and the right capability to do so.

Youngest captains aged 24 or younger

(matches played before captaincy debut)

Terry Duffin (Zimbabwe) – 0

Aiden Markram (South Africa) – 2

Jamie Atkinson (Hong Kong) – 2

Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – 16

Rajin Saleh (Bangladesh) – 19

Jason Holder (West Indies) – 21

Kapil Dev (India) – 22

Graeme Smith (South Africa) – 22

William Porterfield (Ireland) – 23

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 24

Moin Khan (Pakistan) – 31

Alastair Campbell (Zimbabwe) – 37

Prosper Utseya (Zimbabwe) – 39

Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies) – 54

Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) – 54

Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) – 60

Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka) – 61

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 62

Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 75

Suresh Raina (India) – 90

Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh) – 102

Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 119

Markram has an excellent temperament as a batsman that makes him one for the future. But, as a leader, only time will tell.