Aiden Markram is the only South African cricketer, aside from Hansie Cronje and Temba Bavuma, to hold an ICC trophy. An aggressive right-handed opener who doesn’t believe in leaving the new ball, but loves playing his strokes to take the shine off it. Makram is a fluent stroke-maker, a rare Protea commodity, capable of spinning the ball effortlessly.

A teen Makram stamped his authority during the 2014 U-19 World Cup, where he led his national team to victory and ended the tournament as the highest run-getter. He returned home with glory and made his domestic debut. He played his maiden first-class game against South Western Districts in October 2014. A few days later, Makram made his List-A debut against the same opposition. He was also included in Northern’s squad for the 2015 Africa T20 Cup.

Makram received guidance from veteran former South African player Mark Boucher, which helped him produce a couple of good domestic seasons. Soon, he was named in South Africa A’s squad for the England tour in June 2016, and a national call-up wasn’t far behind.

Aiden Markram Test Career

Aiden Markram made his international debut against Bangladesh on September 28, 2017, in Potchefstroom. He scored 97 runs on his debut before getting run out horribly. The opener didn’t repeat the feat in his second Test and scored a solid 143 off 186 balls, and backed it up with a 125 against Zimbabwe in his third outing. With this feat, Markram became the first South African player to score two centuries in his first three Tests.

Fast forward to 2025, Markram was named as the Player of the Match for his 136 in the Final of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final as South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets to win their maiden championship.

Aiden Markram ODI Career

Following his Test debut, Aiden Markram made his ODI debut on October 22, 2017, to replace Hashim Amla, scoring 66 runs as well as taking 2 wickets.

At the age of 23 years 123 days, Markram received maiden opportunity to lead the South African side for the remainder of the 2018 ODI series against India. With this, he became the second-youngest player to captain South Africa in ODIs, after Graeme Smith.  

In April 2019, Markram was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. However, had a disappointing run, scoring 197 runs across 8 matches at an average of 32.83, with a highest score of 45.

During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Markram made history in a match against Sri Lanka, registering the fastest century in tournament history at the time, reaching 100 runs in just 49 balls.

Aiden Markram T20I Career

Aiden Markram made his T20I debut for South Africa against Sri Lanka on March 22, 2019, at Centurion. It took Markram two years since his international debut to make way into the T20I set-up.  

His international leadership credentials were further recognised in March 2023, when he was named South Africa’s T20I captain ahead of their home series against the West Indies.

Aiden Markram also led the South African squad at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Although he had a below-par tournament with the bat, he became the first-ever Proteas captain to lead the team to the final of an ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Unfortunately, his team fell short in the final, losing to India.

Aiden Markram IPL Career

On September 11, 2021, Markram joined Punjab Kings for the second phase of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), held in the UAE. Later, in February 2022, he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL auction for the 2022 season.

Following his successful leadership in guiding Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 championship, Markram was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2023 IPL season.

For the 2026 IPL season, Markram was retained by Lucknow SuperGiants for INR 2 Crore.

Aiden Markram’s journey from a promising young talent to a seasoned international cricketer and leader exemplifies his resilience, skill, and adaptability. Whether anchoring the innings with the bat, leading his teams to historic milestones, or setting records on the world stage, Markram has proven to be a pivotal figure in modern-day cricket.

As he continues to evolve as a player and captain, his leadership and performance will be crucial in shaping the future of South African cricket. With his experience in franchise leagues worldwide and a growing legacy in international cricket, Markram remains a key figure to watch in the coming years.

(As of February 2026)