In a remarkable turn of events, Aiden Markram led South Africa to their first major ICC title in over two decades at the WTC final in 2025. Just a year prior, Markram had faced intense scrutiny and criticism after South Africa’s heartbreaking defeat in the T20 World Cup final against India. The loss added to the country’s history of near-misses in major tournaments, with previous captains like Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, and Graeme Smith also experiencing similar heartbreak.
However, Markram’s redemption was swift and spectacular. In a thrilling match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, South Africa emerged victorious against old rivals Australia in the World Test Championship final. Markram played a pivotal role in the historic win, scoring a monumental 136 runs in the fourth innings to help the Proteas chase down a target of 282.
The 30-year-old skipper’s performance was lauded by fans and critics alike, earning him the prestigious Player-of-the-Match award. Markram’s indelible mark on South African cricket was evident as he led his team to a long-awaited victory, ending their drought of major ICC titles since the 1998 Wills International Cup.
The triumph at the WTC final not only solidified Markram’s legacy as a captain but also brought immense joy to South African cricket fans who had been eagerly awaiting a major championship win. As Markram lifted the trophy at Lord’s, the memories of past heartbreaks were replaced with jubilation and pride for a team that had finally conquered their demons on the world stage.
