“Natural Leader”: Aiden Markram is Supported by Allan Donald to Lead South Africa Throughout Formats

The SA20 is in its second season in South Africa, and Aiden Markram’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape, the reigning champions, are looking to build on their victory from the previous year. In recognition of his consistently developing leadership abilities, Markram was also elected captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team after his championship-winning run with the team.

Not just in T20 competitions has Markram shown his leadership abilities. When Temba Bavuma, the first-choice captain, was sidelined by fitness issues during the 2023 ODI World Cup, he captained South Africa on many occasions when he was playing for them internationally.

Allan Donald, a legendary fast bowler, has backed Markram, 29, in his quest to become South Africa’s next captain, particularly in white-ball cricket.

“Markram has long been considered a possible captain. Without a sure, Aiden Markram will be the next South African captain, maybe in all three forms, according to the CEO, who also said as much. This is not what often occurs these days. Players put a lot of pressure on themselves—especially captains—by leading all three versions, according to Donald.

“I really like his demeanor, and there’s no question about him in terms of white (limited-overs cricket). Markram exudes composure and seems to have been a captive for a considerable amount of time. I believe he just has it. He’s naturally gifted as a leader,” he said.

Donald, who participated in 164 ODIs and 72 Test matches between 1992 and 2003, believes that Markram is prepared to assume the role of South Africa’s Test captain as well.

“I believe Markram has performed well whenever he has replaced Bavuma in the white ball format. I absolutely appreciate how he goes about things and gets his way; I believe he is doing a great job in SA20. South Africa needs him in all white ball forms and maybe even as a Test captain, in my opinion, since captains come and go. He should be prepared to do so, in my opinion. That is beyond dispute, according to Donald.

Markram’s popularity was enhanced by his SA20 success, and it still provides a stage for other up-and-coming South African celebrities to display their abilities.

Jordan Hermann, a 22-year-old batsman from the Eastern Cape, scored an incredible century at Newlands against MI Cape Town during the current season.

Hermann achieved his first century in the league after establishing a strong combination with Dawid Malan to start the innings for the team. In only 62 balls, he scored an undefeated 106, which included eight fours and six sixes.

“A fantastic young player, Jordan Hermann, is a young hitter who just hit for 100 runs at Newlands. He has been kind of playing the sidelines, not participating in many red-ball games, and only sometimes being noticed. Although I don’t want to categorize young children as one-format or white ball players, Jordan Herman has the ability to succeed in the IPL, Donald said.

“I believe that many Indian scouts, owners, and other individuals who are now in South Africa would have seen the knock that Hermann received the other night when he played against MI Cape Town. He’s a charming young man, a lefty who can really turn heads, but I believe you should keep a watch on him. I think he’s awesome,” he continued.

Another South African who has been playing well lately is Heinrich Klaasen. Recently, when playing for the Durban Super Giants against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, he hit an incredible 105-meter six.

Donald believes Klaasen can emulate the likes of Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers, two of the world’s greatest cricket ball hitters, and go on to become the most valuable player on the globe.

Donald said, “I think Klassen will be the most valuable player on the planet, or he could be very close to it, after the recent IPL.”

“As I speak from a South African perspective, I believe that Klaasen is just amazing to see right now. He’s simply so very amazing. He is a man who has the ability to approach Maxwell or AB de Villiers. He may be among the highest-paid players when the IPL resumes its next cycle, along with Jordan Hermann, he continued.