Aiden Markram has found ample success as an opener in T20s.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram again showcased his class while opening in the latest SA20 fixture between Paarl Royals and Durban’s Super Giants. He has been among the most improved T20 batters and again played a solid knock on a tricky deck.
Markram scored 66 runs in 46 balls, including two boundaries and three maximums, at a strike rate of 143.48. 39.39% of his runs came via fours and sixes, and he scored 35.48% of the team’s runs alone.
He opened the innings with Sunil Narine, and once Narine was dismissed after a quick cameo, Jos Buttler and David Bedingham failed to get going on a slightly sluggish deck. However, Aiden Markram held his end tightly and weaved a prudent knock, where he took his time at the start before covering up for it.
At one stage, the Proteas batter was on 36 in 30 deliveries in 11 overs, but he accelerated immediately to score 30 runs in his next 16 balls at a strike rate of 187.50 to revive DSG after initial troubles. Markram eventually got out in the 17th over, but not before laying a foundation for big hitters to thrive in death overs.
Aiden Markram’s recent exploits as an opener confirm that he should continue opening for South Africa at the T20 World Cup 2026. At No.4, he hasn’t found as much success in international or T20 cricket in general.
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Since 2025, Markram has 240 runs at an average of 26.66 and a strike rate of 121.21 in 10 innings, including a solitary fifty, at No.4. However, his average and strike rate surge to 30.95 and 151.86 in 21 outings, with six fifties, as an opener in this timeframe.
Markram is a relatively slow starter who often takes some time before breaking free, so he struggles to get going in the middle order and succeeds at the top. South Africa don’t have Ryan Rickelton or any other proven opener in the T20 World Cup 2026 side, and Markram has a chance to pair with Quinton de Kock as an opener.
If required, Tony de Zorzi can take the No.4 slot since he has a solid game against spinners, with different types of sweeps and a higher intent than Markram from the start. That will allow South Africa to maximise their batting lineup, with an LHB who can counter spin in the middle.
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