'That's a feather in cap...': Aiden Markram in awe of Shubman Gill's batting artistry ahead of IND vs SA 1st Test

South Africa's star batter Aiden Markram spoke highly of Shubman Gill ahead of the opening match of the two-Test series and talked about his phenomenal run of form in red-ball cricket.

Markram Acknowledges Shubman Gill's Red-Ball Form

Markram specifically underscored Gill's success in England, noting that scoring consistently in those challenging conditions is a feather in the cap for the young leader. The first Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to commence on Friday at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens.

Gill's record-breaking captaincy debut

Gill's recent performances in Test cricket have indeed been magnificent, cementing his status as a premier batsman in the format. In his maiden series as Test captain, against England, he enjoyed a record-breaking run, amassing 754 runs across five matches. This extraordinary series included four centuries, with a career-best score of 269. Throughout the tour, Gill displayed immaculate technique against the English bowlers and, in the process, shattered several long-standing records previously held by legendary Indian batsmen, including Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid, signaling his rise as the team's vital new anchor.

"You score red-ball runs in England, that is a big feather in your cap, and he did just that. He deserves it," Markram said, according to X handle of Star Sports

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Gill is currently enjoying an exceptional run of form in Test cricket this year. His batting statistics highlight his dominance, as he has accumulated a remarkable 979 runs in just 15 innings at an impressive average of 69.92. Furthermore, he has maintained a healthy strike rate of over 63. This stellar performance includes five centuries and one fifty, with his highest score being the unforgettable 269 runs he posted against England. Gill’s prolific scoring has cemented his position as the leader of India's batting attack in the longest format.

When you become a champion, you want to do it again and again: Markram

Meanwhile, the visiting South African team arrives for the series with a significant morale boost. Markram expressed the immense belief and confidence running through their squad following their recent triumph. South Africa secured their first-ever world title across all formats by winning the ICC World Test Championship earlier this year, defeating Australia in the final. This historic achievement gives the Proteas a strong psychological edge as they prepare to take on India on their home turf.

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"I am still convinced no one really gave us a chance before that final. That is a fair point, because the Australian team is an unbelievable one. For us as a group, it gave us a great deal of confidence and belief. When you become a champion, you want to do it again and again. I think that is a really good test of the group," he said.

Markram, articulated the high stakes of the upcoming Test series in India, emphasising that a victory in the challenging Indian conditions is essential for the team to achieve its ultimate goal. Markram stated that if the Proteas wish to successfully defend their ICC World Test Championship title, they must prove their capability by winning away from home against a dominant Indian side. This highlights the significance of the series as a crucial test of South Africa's consistency and ability to conquer what is widely considered the toughest assignment in Test cricket.

"Again, it is an opportunity that we look forward to. It is an opportunity to do something special as a group in conditions that are very foreign to us and very different, yet one that we still believe we can do a good job in," he concluded.

India's Test squad for SA series:

Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper/vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep

South Africa’s Test squad for India series:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wicket-keeper), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)