Aiden Markram has revealed that the pain of South Africa's T20 World Cup final defeat against India served as a major source of inspiration for his match-winning performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Markram played a pivotal role in helping South Africa break their 27-year trophy drought, scoring a magnificent 136 runs in the second innings at Lord's. This helped them chase down a target of 282 runs, securing a historic victory.
Speaking after the win, Markram reflected on the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, where South Africa fell short by seven runs against India. He admitted to feeling "hopeless" after being dismissed cheaply in that game, a feeling he was determined to avoid in the WTC final. He stated, "I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how hopeless I felt sitting on the side after getting out. I was like, I don't want to sit there again. So it gave me a bit of motivation to make sure I stay at the crease if I could."
Markram's words highlight the significance of the T20 World Cup defeat and how it fueled his desire to perform in the WTC final. In the T20 World Cup final, Markram, who was the captain at the time, was dismissed for just 4 runs by Arshdeep Singh, a dismissal that contributed to South Africa's collapse. This time, he was determined to make amends.
In the WTC final, however, after scoring a duck in the first innings, Markram showcased resilience and determination. His magnificent knock of 136, which included 14 boundaries, not only anchored the South African run chase but also earned him the Player of the Match award. He formed a crucial 147-run partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, setting the stage for the victory.
Markram's innings wasn't just about personal redemption; it was about overcoming South Africa's reputation as "chokers" in major tournaments. "This is as big and tough as it gets. So all the questions that have been asked in the past have fortunately now been answered. It would be great to not hear it (chokers) again, that's for sure. To get rid of that tag is a big thing for this team,” he said.
He also confessed that he had difficulty sleeping the night before the final day, despite taking a sleeping tablet. The emotions of the occasion and the desire to win were overwhelming. "Yeah, it was weird last night. I was pretty emotional. From about quarter past five, the game had slowed down. I had a bit of time to look around and see all the fans, the family, all the mates that were there … I was looking at the changing room. I was like, 'Yes, we are now getting close', and it caught me off guard. Then the hundred happened, and a couple of tears leaked out that I was trying to fight," Markram revealed.
While Markram missed the opportunity to score the winning runs, his contribution was immense. He walked off to a standing ovation from the crowd at Lord's, acknowledging his crucial role in South Africa's triumph. His innings will be remembered not only for its brilliance but also for the inspiration he drew from past disappointments, ultimately leading to a historic victory.
