‘It was always about just trying to get the job done and win’ - Aiden Markram emphasises how staying in the moment helped during WTC 2025 final

‌Though Aiden Markram played the innings of his life at Lord’s to helm his side to a five-wicket win against Australia in the World Test Championship 2025 final, he was not happy with his dismissal that came when his side needed only six runs to the elusive title. However, he was satisfied with his knock of 136 which took his team past the defending champions and helped him create ever-lasting memories.

"I wish I could have," Markram said. "But that's me being me when I get out. I'm always angry. At least looking at the building in front was pretty special. And then, naturally, the walk up was incredibly special. So at least there's one or two memories from that."

The Proteas opener’s innings was worth its weight in gold and will go down as one of the best knocks in the history of Test cricket. The Aussies were left reeling with the impact of the high-quality knock as they could not even celebrate his dismissal. He had done all the damage and as he started his walk back to the famed dressing room, the fielders congratulated him with a pat on his back.

"I noticed it for sure," he said. "Obviously, it was a great touch from their side. There's quite a bit of banter on the field. But all is well that ends well, I guess. It's always nice to be appreciated from that position."

Right through his innings, the South Africa T20 team captain tried to stay in the moment as highlighted by head coach Shukri Conrad and batting coach Ashwell Prince. He was consciously keeping out all the what-ifs while building that match-defining innings in the second essay but there were moments when Markram was caught in the whirlpool of emotions right before his century. And that also forced him to politely decline the invite of the broadcasters for a post-session chat.

"Yeah, it was weird last night (after day three). I was pretty emotional," he recollected. "From about quarter past five, the game had slowed down. I had a bit of time to look around and see all the fans, the family, all the mates that were there. I was looking at the changing room and was like, 'Yes, we are now getting close', and it caught me off guard. Then the hundred happened, and a couple of tears leaked out that I was trying to fight."

With a history of finishing on the wrong side in ICC tournaments, Markram could not shut the horrors of the past that have been haunting the South African team for a while now. But he used the 2024 T20 World Cup final loss to India when they scripted another heartbreaking chapter falling short after being in a comfortable position, as a motivation to end the wretched run this time around.

"I tried to take a sleeping tablet, but it didn't work," he mentioned. "The mind just couldn't switch off. But fortunately, today wasn't ever going to be a full day, so I knew it would be fine.

"I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how hopeless I felt sitting on the side after getting out. So, this gave me a bit of motivation to make sure I stayed at the crease, if I could. But never once thought about the achievements and what would come with it. It was always about just trying to get the job done and trying to win."

The Lucknow Super Giants batter was eloquent in his praise for skipper Temba Bavuma who fought a hamstring injury to make a fighting half-century and in the end, it was the pair’s 147-run partnership that powered the Proteas to go past a challenging total.

"To see his hammy go was obviously a bit worrying," Markram said. “But he showed a lot of leadership and character and that was tremendous for us."