'Evolved as a T20 batter after opening for LSG' - Former South Africa skipper credits IPL for Aiden Markram's success

Published - 03 Mar 2026, 12:36 IST | Updated - 03 Mar 2026, 12:36 IST

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has opened up on the role of Indian Premier League (IPL) in current Proteas captain Aiden Markram's improvement as a T20 player.

The right-hander has been in stellar form in the ongoing T20 World Cup, leading his side from the front. Markram, among all the openers who have faced at least 100 deliveries in the tournament, has the highest strike-rate of 175.16, and that speaks volumes of his changed approach in the shortest format of the game.

Du Plessis, Markram's former captain, has come out with his thoughts on his new version in the ongoing marquee event. His success in the 2025 stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has helped to evolve as a T20 opener, according to du Plessis.

"I think what was really good in terms of his own game is the [IPL 2025] season where he opened for LSG and the IPL almost demanded that you needed to play in that way in order for you to keep your place. It was obviously the Impact-Sub [rule] and the way the game was moving. As an opener, you couldn't play the old-school way anymore,” du Plessis was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

He further pointed out the importance of evolving the game according to the changing demands of it, and that is what Markram has been doing as per him.

"The game demands it from you, and if you don't evolve with the game, then you get left behind. So with Aiden, naturally the game has moved that way,” he concluded.

Markram had a stellar season with LSG in 2025, where he opened the innings with Mitchell Marsh. In 13 matches, he scored 445 runs at a healthy strike-rate of 148.82, including five fifty-plus scores. He is currently the third-highest run scorer in the ongoing T20 World Cup, having scored 268 runs in seven innings.