Marco Jansen

Marco Jansen, the towering South African all-rounder, has established himself as one of the most promising fast-bowling talents in world cricket. With his ability to generate steep bounce, deliver fiery spells, and contribute with the bat, Jansen has become a vital asset for South Africa across formats.

Jansen’s rise to prominence began in 2021 when he was added to South Africa’s Test squad for their series against Pakistan in January. 

A few months later, he was picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, making his debut against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9. In an impressive first outing, he took 2/28 in his four-over spell, with Glenn Maxwell being his maiden IPL wicket. 

That same year, he was named in Eastern Province's squad for the 2021–22 domestic season in South Africa.

Jansen continued his meteoric rise, earning a place in South Africa’s Test squad for the West Indies tour in May 2021. His big moment came in December 2021, when he was included in South Africa’s home Test series against India. 

On December 26, he made his Test debut, dismissing Jasprit Bumrah for his maiden wicket.

Soon, Jansen earned his ODI debut in January 2022 against India. A few months later, in May 2022, he received his maiden T20I call-up and made his T20I debut against India in June that year, marking his arrival as a three-format player for South Africa.

Jansen’s IPL career took another turn in 2022 when Sunrisers Hyderabad secured him in the IPL auction. He became a key player for the franchise from 2022 to 2024. 

In May 2023, he expanded his horizons further by joining Washington Freedom for the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) season in the USA.

Jansen was a crucial part of South Africa’s squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India. His all-round skills added depth to the team, and he played a significant role in their strong campaign. In 2024, he continued his dominance on the global stage as he was named in South Africa’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where the Proteas finished as runners-up.

Later in November 2024, he was selected for South Africa’s T20I series against India. During the third match, he stunned the cricketing world by smashing a 54-run knock off just 17 balls, setting the record for the fastest T20I half-century against India.

Jansen’s dominance extended into red-ball cricket as well. In November 2024, he was named in South Africa’s squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka. During the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, he delivered a breathtaking spell of 7/13, dismantling Sri Lanka for just 42 runs—their lowest-ever Test total. His remarkable performance made him the first South African to take a 10-wicket match haul at Kingsmead and the first left-arm South African seamer to achieve this feat.

He secured his place in South Africa’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, further cementing his reputation as a mainstay in the national team. Having played for Sunrisers Hyderabad from 2022 to 2024 and Mumbai Indians in 2021, Jansen was picked up by Punjab Kings for INR 7 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.

Marco Jansen’s journey from an emerging talent to one of South Africa’s premier all-rounders has been nothing short of remarkable. His ability to contribute in all facets of the game makes him a player to watch for years to come. Whether with the ball or the bat, he continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers with his fearless approach, proving that he is destined for greatness.

(As of April 2025)