I can learn a lot by just watching Virat: Markram
The desperation to singlehandedly take his team over the line, condemning himself for mistakes are some of the aspects of Virat Kohli’s leadership that South African captain Aiden Markram wants to inculcate after witnessing the Indian skipper maul his side into submission during their 1-5 ODI series defeat.
Kohli finished the series with a staggering 558 runs, which includes three hundreds and a half-century.
“Kohli’s desperation to win games for his side is massive. And that’s why he condemns himself (on mistakes) like he does. It’s all from a competitive point of view and it’s nothing malicious. That desperation shows when he bats - he doesn’t just gets his side close to the line, he gets them over it,” Markram said during the media interaction. “So there are a lot of things I can learn from him (Kohli). There are a lot of things I can learn from their team as a whole, and from us as a whole. I am taking little pieces from here and there,” the young Proteas captain said.
He had no hesitation in admitting that Kohli was the massive difference between both the sides.
“He made a massive difference. He is obviously in incredible touch and showing it. His hunger for runs and desperation to finish games is up there with the very best, and that’s why he is one of the best players in the world. He has been one of the differences and their spinners have also played a massive role. But he had a great series and credit must be given where it is due,” said Markram.
Asked if he is embarrassed with the margin of series defeat, Markram felt that the choice of word was too harsh. “Embarrassed is quite a harsh word. Obviously, we were not up to the standard we would have liked to be. We are really disappointed as a squad. I wouldn’t want to say we’re embarrassed.”
But he was quick to point out that they had always felt that the ODI series would be tough against a world class Indian side.
Meanwhile, international cricket can be harsh on young captains and no one knows it better than Virat Kohli, who feels that South Africa should persist with young Aiden Markram, since he has got all the requisite qualities to become a good leader.