South Africa T20I captain Adien Markram has revealed that his team feels that India batter Abhishek Sharma will be the big wicket for the Proteas. His words came ahead of the first T20I of the five-match series, which will be played in Cuttack on December 9.
Abhishek is the world's top T20 batter, with a record rating. He is India's leading run-scorer in the format, with 1499 runs, and no batter this year can match his strike rate of 204.22.
“I’ve played with Abhi before at Sunrisers (the Hyderabad franchise in the IPL), a great guy and bats really well, so no doubt it’s a big wicket for us. Whoever takes the new ball, that’s a challenge to hopefully get him early. He is a match-winner, and it’s an important wicket for us,” Markram said on the eve of the first T20I, quoted by PTI.
Markram also attempted to explain the trend of so many youngsters coming into international cricket as seasoned hard-hitters.
“It’s probably just the fearlessness—being given complete license to take the game on from ball one. Some players you almost just want them to spread their wings and take the game on. If they come off, the team is in a really strong position. The game is moving in that direction. The younger guys coming through naturally are playing that way because that’s entertainment, but it’s also opportunities for them to get into leagues and play T20 cricket for their country. They end up doing some really cool things," he said.
In relation to leagues, the IPL auction will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Is this series an audition for the Proteas player?
“Some guys are in the auction, and there could be an element of wanting to impress. But that’s definitely not the main reason we’re here. If the team does well, naturally, individuals benefit, and that’s the extra bonus," Markram said.
He was also asked about the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two white-ball giants of India, from the T20I format. The two batters retired from the format after India won the T20 World Cup 2025 in Barbados, defeating South Africa in the final.
“It’s great that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not part of the T20I side, but still, it’s a great Indian team,” Markram stated.
Markram also didn’t divulge too many of his team’s plans either.
“No extra plans, I guess. It’s T20 cricket, it’s an entertaining format, and that’s the brand we want to play. We want guys to free themselves up, enjoy the game, and let their best skills be on show. Tomorrow is the start of a new series. We haven’t selected the final XI just yet; we need a few more discussions, and then we’ll come to that," he said.
South Africa will have the services of Anrich Nortje, along with Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch, for the T20I series.
“Our fast-bowling stock is growing… The guys will be excited, and I’m sure they’ll give 100 per cent… You expect the wickets to be pretty good and the games to be high-scoring. If not, we adapt out there in the middle. Tomorrow is an important start, and hopefully we can get off on a good note," Markram signed off.
(PTI inputs)
