Aiden Markram doubtful for Johannesburg Test

What's the story?

South Africa opener Aiden Markram is a doubtful starter for the third and final Test against India at Johannesburg which is set to begin on January 24. The young batsman suffered a mild left quadricep strain during the ongoing Centurion Test and is set to receive treatment over the coming days in the lead-up to the next game.

In case you didn't know..

Markram, 23, scored 94 in the first innings at Centurion to give South Africa a stable start and set them up for a total of 335. Eventually, the hosts ended up with a lead of 28 runs as India were bowled out for 307.

The heart of the matter

Markram's absence meant that substitute fielder Theunis de Bruyn took the field when India came out to bat in the second innings. In case Markram is ruled out of the next game, South Africa will find it difficult to find a dependable opener in his place, as he has started his Test career with two centuries and half-centuries each in just five Tests.

What's next?

De Bruyn might enter into the starting eleven if Markram is forced to miss out, as the former has played 3 Tests for South Africa, having opened the innings in one of them – against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2017.

Author's Take

It is unfortunate for a talented youngster to suffer an injury in such an early stage of his career, especially while playing such a competitive opponents in India, having started out against relatively modest teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.