(Cricket News) Aiden Markram, there exist two distinct facets of his cricketing persona. India has often encountered the more vulnerable side of him. This fragile version, dubbed the “biggest relief” by his longtime mentor Pierre de Bruyn, surfaced when Dean Elgar and later Temba Bavuma assumed Test captaincy roles.

In 2018, at just 23 years old and in his third ODI, Aiden, hailed as the “next Graeme Smith,” faced the pressure of captaincy during a series against India. The experience was distressing, with South Africa succumbing to a 5-1 defeat, and Markram’s state of mind was so affected that he couldn’t recall the details of his dismissal in the final ODI at Port Elizabeth during a post-game chat with a concerned de Bruyn.

A year later, in another challenging series in India, Markram faced a personal setback after registering twin ducks in the Pune Test. His frustration boiled over, leading him to punch a “solid object” in the dressing room, resulting in a fractured wrist and eventual exclusion from the team.

Despite a subsequent stint as the white-ball captain, Markram found himself up against India again. His Test average against India was a modest 15.58 in nine games before the Cape Town Test, where he would go on to deliver one of South Africa’s great Test centuries. Like his white-ball counterpart, the Test batsman Markram also displayed two contrasting sides. The more common version struggled in the first Test, appearing uncertain at the crease. However, a different Markram emerged in the final over of the first day, showing aggressiveness that continued into the remarkable morning of the second day.

Markram’s technique, though not always foolproof, worked for him this time. Holding his bat above the waist without letting his hands drop low on the challenging pitch, avoiding half-cocked movements, and some luck with deliveries narrowly missing the edge contributed to his success. Selecting the right moments to attack, he navigated the challenging conditions skillfully, employing a variety of shots.

On a pitch that proved challenging for most, Markram’s ability to adapt and counter-attack showcased his anti-structural approach. This innings, though not replicable in a conventional sense, demonstrated his resilience in finding a way to succeed. With no blame games regarding the pitch during the match, Markram, inspired by Virat Kohli’s approach in the first innings, discovered his own path to navigate the challenging conditions.

In the end, Markram’s century on one of the toughest pitches of his career against a formidable opponent showcased a transformed version of himself—confident, attacking, and free from self-doubt.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are eager to participate in T20 Internationals