Aiden Markram is a South African top-order batter who is best known for two big-match performances: captaining the country’s Under-19 side to the 2014 World Cup, and scoring 136 in the second innings of the 2025 World Test Championship final, when South Africa won their first title in the competition. A right-handed batter who also bowls right-arm off breaks, he plays all three formats.
Early life and rise
Aiden Kyle Markram was born on 4 October 1994 in Centurion, Gauteng. He attended Pretoria Boys High School and began his senior domestic career with Northerns in 2014 and the Titans in 2016. In 2014 he led South Africa to victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. He was named one of five Cricketers of the Year in the 2018 South African Cricket Annual.
He made his Test debut on 28 September 2017 against Bangladesh, his ODI debut on 22 October 2017 against Bangladesh and his T20I debut on 22 March 2019 against Sri Lanka.
Playing style
Markram is a top-order batter with a good all-round game. He can build an innings in Tests but also score quickly: his 106 off 54 balls against Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup was reached in 49 balls, which Wikipedia describes as the fastest men’s World Cup century at that time. His part-time off-spin has produced wickets in each format.
Career highlights
- He captained South Africa briefly in ODIs in February 2018 and has been T20I captain since March 2023.
- He led South Africa to the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which they lost to India.
- He was Player of the Final in the 2025 World Test Championship final, scoring 136 from 207 balls in the second innings.
- At the 2026 T20 World Cup he made 59 against Canada, an unbeaten 86 against New Zealand and an unbeaten 82 against West Indies as South Africa reached the semi-finals.
- He captained Sunrisers Eastern Cape to SA20 titles in 2022 and 2023.
Franchise career
Markram has played for Durham (2018), Hampshire (2019), Punjab Kings (2021), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022 to 2024) and Lucknow Super Giants (2025 to 2026), and was named captain of Durban's Super Giants for the 2026 SA20.
Statistics
As of 1 November 2026, per Wikipedia citing ESPNcricinfo and matching Cricket Australia’s player page: 53 Tests, 3,394 runs at 35.72 with eight centuries and a top score of 152; 88 ODIs, 2,723 runs at 36.30 with four centuries and a top score of 175; 77 T20Is, 1,966 runs at 31.70 with a top score of 86 not out.
Frequently asked questions
When did Aiden Markram make his Test debut?
On 28 September 2017 against Bangladesh.
What did Markram score in the 2025 World Test Championship final?
136 from 207 balls in the second innings, and he was Player of the Final, according to Wikipedia.
Does Aiden Markram captain South Africa?
He has been T20I captain since March 2023, per Wikipedia, which lists him as vice-captain in ODIs and Tests.