Ricky Ponting has showered praise on Aiden Markram following the South African's match-winning century in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against Australia at Lord's. Markram's innings of 136 was instrumental in South Africa chasing down a target of 282, securing their first major ICC trophy in 27 years and ending a long wait for a major title.

Ponting, a Hall of Famer known for his own high-pressure performances, didn't hold back in his assessment of Markram's knock. Speaking to ICC Digital after the match, Ponting placed Markram's innings among the best he has witnessed in major ICC events. He drew comparisons to Travis Head's innings in a previous World Cup final, highlighting the significance and quality of Markram's performance under immense pressure.

The former Australian captain emphasized the context of Markram's innings, considering the challenges South African cricket, particularly their Test side, has faced in recent years. Ponting noted that Markram's ability to "stand up and perform like that when your team needs you the most is what reputations are made of." He added, "I think everyone's always known how good a player Aiden Markram was."

Markram's journey to this defining moment has been marked by ups and downs. He was dropped from the South Africa squad for a tour of Australia in 2022/23 after a lean patch. However, he demonstrated resilience and a return to form with a century against the West Indies and another against India in Cape Town.

In the WTC Final, Markram had a disappointing start, dismissed for a duck in the first innings. However, he bounced back spectacularly in the second innings, displaying composure and skill to anchor the chase. His 136 included 14 boundaries and was the backbone of South Africa's victory. He was later named Player of the Match for his efforts.

Markram himself acknowledged the significance of the occasion, stating that playing at Lord's is something every Test cricketer dreams of. He also spoke about the strong support from South African fans and the importance of his partnership with captain Temba Bavuma.

Markram revealed that he struggled to sleep the night before the final day, haunted by memories of the T20 World Cup 2024 where he felt helpless after getting out. This fueled his determination to stay at the crease and contribute to the team's victory.

His century not only secured the WTC title for South Africa but also etched his name in history. Markram became the first South African batter to score a century in an ICC tournament final, joining an elite list of players.

Ponting's praise underscores the magnitude of Markram's achievement. His innings not only delivered a long-awaited trophy for South Africa but also cemented his status as a player capable of performing on the biggest stage. The WTC Final will be remembered for Markram's "priceless" contribution, a performance that Ricky Ponting believes ranks among the very best in ICC tournament history.