Aiden Markram Reveals 2024 T20 WC Pain Fueled WTC Final Grit

Heartbreak from the 2024 T20 World Cup loss to India fueled South African opener Aiden Markram's star performance in 2025 WTC final.

Aiden Markram Reveals 2024 T20 WC Pain Fueled WTC Final Grit

Aiden Markram talked about how South Africa's 2024 T20 WC final loss gave him motivation to perform well in the WTC final. (via X)

South African opener Aiden Markram revealed that the team’s disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup final defeat to India is what motivated him to do well in the 2025 World Test Championship final. Markram was the team’s star performer in the final, as the Proteas claimed the WTC title. 

Aiden Markram scored an impressive match-winning knock of 136 runs off 207 deliveries in the second innings of the 2025 WTC final at the Lord’s in London, to help South Africa win the title. Markram’s stellar knock helped his team successfully chase down a target of 282 runs, on a tricky surface. He forged a brilliant 147-run third wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma, to take South Africa over the line, with five wickets in hand.  

Markram’s 136-run knock moreover, was a redemption for his poor first innings showing, where he failed to score a single run. The 30-year-old opener was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, off just the sixth ball he faced. Aiden Markram was awarded the Player of the Match award, as he led the South African team to break its 27-year old jinx of not winning a major ICC tournament, since 1998.

Aiden Markram, speaking after the team’s historic WTC triumph, revealed how South Africa’s 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final defeat to India strengthened his resilience. The 30-year-old Proteas star saw his side lose the match by a margin of just seven runs. Markram himself was disappointing in the final, as he scored a mere four runs of five balls, before being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. 

He even revealed his dejection after his poor first innings in the WTC final. This performance brought to mind the team’s history of setbacks. However, Markram explained that these past heartbreaks, combined with his desire to shed the “chokers” label often associated with South Africa’s exits in major ICC events, motivated him to bat resolutely in the second innings and secure a vital contribution for his team.

I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night. And how helpless I felt sitting on the side after getting out and I was like I don’t want to sit there again. That gave me a bit of motivation to stay on the crease.

Markam displayed his grit and resilience, scoring at the biggest stage when the pressure was the highest and all eyes were on him. Reacting to his fabulous knock that helped South Africa beat Australia by five wickets, Aiden Markram, during the post-match press meet, also revealed how even sleeping pills could not help him sleep at night, until he brought SA sailing smoothly through the final.

Interestingly, he became the third player after Steve Smith and Travis Head to score a hundred in the WTC Championship final. The South African opener, in the second innings, batted for an impressive six hours and 23 minutes, paying off the trust that was put in him by the captain and head coach Shukri Conrad.

Aiden Markram shares surprise drink with South African fans following WTC final victory

South African opener Aidenn Markram kicked off the team’s WTC victory celebrations by sharing a beer with fans at the Lord’s stadium. Markram was seen taking a sip of a glass of beer from a section of South African fans in the crowd, who seemed elated following the team’s win. 

Aiden Markram drinks beer with fan
Aiden Markram sipped a glass of beer from a fan, following South Africa’s WTC win. (via ESPCricinfo)

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference, the 30-year-old exclaimed that his friend, who even went to the same school as he did, was the one who insisted upon the player having a beer during the victory celebrations. Markram was seen making his way over to the edge of the boundary during the team’s lap of honor, where he went forward to embrace his friend before taking a sip of beer. 

Meanwhile, South Africa’s WTC final victory, many former players including ex-skipper Graeme Smith, believe is going to revitalize cricket in the African nation. It marks an end to an era of uncertainties for the team, whose only major ICC tournament win prior to it was the 1998 Knockout Trophy.