Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are opening batters for South Africa in the ongoing second Test against India at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, and on Tuesday (November 25) during the fourth day’s play of the match, they entered their name in the record books by becoming the fourth South African opening pair and the first since 2008 to add at least 50 runs for the first wicket in both innings of a Test match played in India.
Markram and Rickelton added 82 runs in 26.5 overs for the first wicket in the first innings on Saturday (November 22), and on Tuesday they scored 59 runs in 18.3 overs for the first wicket in the second innings.
The last opening pair to score at least 50 runs in both innings of a Test match played in India for South
Africa was Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie.
In the March 2008 Test played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Smith and McKenzie added 132 runs in the first innings and 53 runs for the first wicket in the 2nd innings.
50-plus opening stand in both innings for SA in India
| PLAYERS | P’ship (1st Innings) | P’ship (2nd Innings) | VENUE | YEAR |
| Herschelle Gibbs & Gary Kirsten | 90 | 51 | Mumbai (WS) | 2000 |
| Graeme Smith & Andrew Hall | 61 | 67 | Kanpur | 2004 |
| Graeme Smith & Neil McKenzie | 132 | 53 | Chennai | 2008 |
| Aiden Markram & Ryan Rickelton | 82 | 59 | Guwahati | 2025 |
Rickelton was sent back to the dugout by Ravindra Jadeja in the morning session of the fourth day’s play. The left-handed batter was caught by Mohammed Siraj on the third ball of the 19th over. He faced 64 balls during his stay at the crease and, with the help of four fours, scored 35 runs.
In the first innings as well, Rickelton scored 35 runs. He faced 82 balls on Day 1 of the ongoing match and smashed five boundaries. On the other hand, Markram scored 38 runs from 81 balls with the help of five fours in the first innings of the Guwahati Test.
In addition to his batting, Markram is making headlines in the ongoing match with his fielding. On Day 3 of the second Test, he completed five catches to equal the world record of taking the most catches as an outfielder in one innings of a Test match.
