Aiden Markram’s remarkable unbeaten streak as captain in ICC tournaments came to an end on June 29, 2024, as India narrowly defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final of the T20 World Cup. Markram, who had previously led South Africa’s U19 team to World Cup glory and served as a makeshift captain in the 2023 ODI World Cup without tasting defeat, saw his flawless record broken in a tense match at Barbados.
Aiden Markram’s Unbeaten Record as Captain in ICC Tournaments Ends
South Africa’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 was nothing short of spectacular. They began their campaign with a dominant performance against Sri Lanka, dismantling their batting lineup. This was followed by consecutive victories over Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal, securing a strong position in the group stage. In the Super 8s, South Africa continued their winning streak with thrilling victories against England, West Indies, and USA, thus booking a spot in the semi-finals.
The semi-final saw South Africa break their notorious semi-final curse with a commanding win over Afghanistan, paving their way to the final. Markram’s leadership throughout the tournament was exemplary, guiding South Africa to eight consecutive wins and establishing a commanding presence on the field.
In the final against India, South Africa were in a commanding position, needing just 31 runs to win in the last five overs. Despite a promising start with Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs stabilizing the innings, and Heinrich Klaasen delivering a brilliant half-century, India’s bowlers Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh orchestrated a dramatic comeback. India, led by Rohit Sharma, defended their total of 176 by restricting South Africa to just 169, pulling off a thrilling seven-run victory.
India’s innings had seen early setbacks with the loss of key wickets like Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav. However, a solid partnership between Virat Kohli and Axar Patel, coupled with Shivam Dube’s late surge, set a competitive target. South Africa’s defeat, while disappointing, highlighted Markram’s exceptional leadership and pointed to a bright future for the 29-year-old captain. Despite the loss, South Africa’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 remains a testament to their resilience and skill.
Read more: Aiden Markram’s 100% win streak in ICC tournaments ends
