The first South African captain to win a World Cup, albeit at age-group level, Aiden Markram announced himself as champion material early. He led South Africa's Under-19s to World Cup glory in 2014 and was also their leading run-scorer and third overall. Despite that success, Markram had to bide his time before earning a professional contract. He returned home to play for the University of Pretoria and Northerns, and in the 2016-17 season was part of the Titans squad.

A batsman of class and composure, strong on the offside and aggressive in nature, Markram was seen as someone who could change a sometimes conservative South African approach to batting.

Under Mark Boucher's guidance, Markram excelled and averaged over 50 in both the first-class and fifty-over competitions. He was named in South Africa's A side to tour the UK in June 2016, and as their captain in the longer formats. Though the team struggled, Markram scored a century against Hampshire and 71 against the Lions, which was enough to see him included in South Africa's Test squad to face England in July-August 2017.
Firdose Moonda