'Aiden Was Particularly': Graeme Smith Gives His Verdict On Markram's Captaincy For South Africa In T20 WC 2024

Aiden Markram in action at T20 World Cup 2024 Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS South Africa were unbeaten at the T20 World Cup 2024 before lost to India in the finals.

Graeme Smith has spoken about the captaincy of Aiden Markram.

Graeme Smith has spoken about the performance of Ottneil Baartman.

Graeme Smith has given his verdict on the captaincy of Aiden Markram T20 World Cup 2024 . Under Markram's captaincy, South Africa reached the finals, where they lost to India by just seven runs in a thrilling game. Before their loss in the final, South Africa were unbeaten throughout the tournament and won many close-fought matches. Former South Africa skipperhas given his verdict on the captaincy of, who led the Proteas at the recently concluded. Under Markram's captaincy, South Africa reached the finals, where they lost to India by just seven runs in a thrilling game. Before their loss in the final, South Africa were unbeaten throughout the tournament and won many close-fought matches.

According to Graeme Smith, Markram was tactically astute and took some big calls during the T20 World Cup 2004.

"Aiden was particularly good during the tournament. He was tactically astute, had good plans and was brave enough to make the big calls and then get all his players to commit to it," said Smith in a media release.

Not only at the T20 World Cup, Markram also showed his captaincy prowess in SA20 , having led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles. The 29-year-old also led South Africa well during the ODI World Cup 2023 in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma.

"We have, of course, seen Aiden captain in this manner before over the course of the past two SA20 seasons, leading the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back championship titles, but now he has transferred this experience to the international arena," said Smith, who is SA20's league commissioner.

The 43-year-old also praised SA20 league for preparing the South African cricketers to be ready for pressure and challenges at the highest level.

"From the outset, the league, alongside Cricket South Africa, has wanted to provide South African cricketers with the opportunity to be exposed to a higher level of domestic cricket where the players are able to rub shoulders and learn from some of the best the game has to offer," said Smith

"Players are exposed to high-pressure and competitive cricket and this experience stood them in good stead in the US and Caribbean," he added.

Smith praised fast bowler Ottneil Baartman who produced some measly spells during the 2024 T20 World Cup and called him the epitome of a SA20 success story. Notably, picked up 30 wickets in the last two editions of SA20, averaging 13.8 at an economy rate of just 8.2.

"Ottneil is the epitome of a SA20 success story. A relatively unknown player before SA20 that has transformed and grown in confidence due to experiences with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is phenomenal," the former Proteas skipper said.

"Despite playing in his very first T20 World Cup, he backed his skills under immense pressure. The four wickets against the Netherlands and the last over against Nepal definitely stands out," added Smith.

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