Aiden Markram 'felt responsible' to score big in Proteas' stunning win over India

Aiden Markram felt responsible for the collapse in the first game in Ranchi, and when he found himself in a similar situation in the second ODI in Raipur, the opening batter ensured he would do all he could to win the match and level the series for the team.

During the Proteas’ narrow 17-run loss in Ranchi, they found themselves three wickets down in the opening five overs of the run chase, with Markram dismissed cheaply along with Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock.

In Raipur on Wednesday, Markram found himself in a similar situation, with captain Temba Bavuma having won the toss and opted to bowl first, and India having set a formidable target of 359 runs.

However, unlike in Ranchi, Markram (106) found the right tempo for his innings, making the correct shot selection as he brought up his fourth ODI century, building a strong foundation for South Africa’s four-wicket victory in Raipur.

Markram acknowledged that the two matches in the series thus far had been very similar. The opening batter highlighted that the team needed to set a good foundation, given their strong middle order.

“All of it was pretty similar, to be honest. It felt like we were living the first game out again today. Being three down early in the first game, a lot of that is the difference in the results, I feel,” Markram told reporters on Wednesday. “From a personal point of view, I felt quite responsible for that. We've got some great hitters and great batters in the middle to lower order. If you give them a chance, they can do damage. So that was my thinking coming in tonight.”

Markram lauded Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis for their contributions in the Proteas’ series-levelling victory in Raipur. Breetzke (68), who brought up his seventh 50-plus score in 11 matches, and Brevis (54), who notched his maiden ODI half-century, played key roles in South Africa’s third-largest run chase.

“Those two boys in the middle order – Brevis hits the ball miles, he takes the game on and is not afraid to put bowlers under pressure and stuff like that. As cricket lovers, I suppose it’s great to watch. It's really entertaining,” Markram said. “Matthew Breetzke has had an incredible start to his ODI career. He managed the situation really well today.

“It almost feels like he’s not only played 10, 11, 12 games, but the way he batted today, it was like this guy’s got at least 50 caps under his belt. It’s a big plus for us to have the side of Matthew Breetzke that can really take the game on, and the side of Matthew Breetzke that can also manage a chase quite nicely.”

The Proteas take confidence from their record-breaking victory going into Saturday’s series-decider in Visakhapatnam.

“Belief and confidence are probably the two things that you can take as a group. To chase quite a big number, I think, gives the group belief and confidence that the next time you’re in that position, we’ve done it before and we can do it again,” Markram said. “And again, it’s a world-class team in their home conditions, and to get a win against India in their backyard is no easy feat. So again, you take that confidence and belief as a group.”

rder. If you give them a chance, they can do damage. So that was my thinking coming in tonight."