[Watch] Aiden Markram screams in anger after being dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy for the second time in a row in IND vs SA 2024 series
South Africa T20I skipper Aiden Markram, usually known for his composed demeanor, lost his cool after being dismissed by Varun Chakaravathy in the third T20I against India at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, November 13. The right-handed batter scored 29 runs off 18 deliveries, but was dismissed at a crucial juncture of the run chase.
South Africa had a daunting 220-run target for a potential 2-1 lead in the series. After an erratic start, which included a delay due to an overwhelming swarm of flying ants, South Africa were 27-1 after three overs when Markram walked to the crease. The skipper began cautiously, prodding along at a run-a-ball before he decided to take Varun Chakaravarthy on.
The right-handed batter has had a mixed record against the mystery spinner in the past. He boasts a dominant strike rate of 172.54 in eight outings, but has also been dismissed four times in return. During the second T20I in Gqeberha, Markram was castled by Chakaravarthy for just three runs.
This time around Markram smashed two sixes off Chakaravarthy in the 10th over of the innings. The batter was tempted to go for one more hit off the last delivery, but instead found the fielder at deep midwicket to perfection. Markram was left fuming, and let out a mouthful on his way back to the pavilion.
Have a look at the dismissal and the reaction right here:
Markram's dismissal left South Africa 84-4 at the halfway mark of the innings. The Proteas came close courtesy of a whirlwind knock by Marco Jansen (54 off 17), but fell short by 11 runs in the end.
Aiden Markram under pressure to deliver as a batter amid poor run
Markram is facing a pressure that his predecessor, Temba Bavuma, was quite familiar with. While his leadership is appreciated, with a recent unbeaten run to the 2024 T20 World Cup final to be noted, he is failing to make an impact with the bat. Since he occupies a crucial spot in the batting unit, his lack of runs is hurting the team significantly.
For starters, Markram's last T20I fifty came in 2022. He has scored only 241 runs in 17 innings in 2024 at an average of 16.09 and a strike rate of 120.50. His recent form even led former South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs to remark, "For starters Markram can carry drinks."
Markram was recently released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Leading the franchise at one stage during the previous cycle, he was replaced by Pat Cummins, and could only score 220 runs in 11 matches in the 2024 campaign.