Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton create history : The second Test between South Africa and India is being played at Guwahati. South Africa has created a good grip in this match. Meanwhile, South Africa’s opening pair, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, have achieved a major milestone in this match. He created history by creating opening partnerships of over 50 runs in both innings of the Test match against India at Guwahati.

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton achieved the feat on Monday, November 25, by putting on a half-century partnership on the fourth day of the second match. They became the first pair since 2008 to score half-centuries in both innings of a Test match for South Africa. Also, this is the fourth South African pair to do so in India.

Markram and Rickelton put on a first-wicket partnership of 82 runs in 26.5 overs in the first innings on Saturday (November 22) and added 59 runs for the first wicket in 18.3 overs in the second innings on Tuesday. Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie are the last South African opening pair to score at least 50 runs in both innings of a Test match played in India. In the March 2008 Test played at Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Smith and McKenzie shared a partnership of 132 runs in the first innings and 53 runs in the second innings for the first wicket.

On the fourth morning, Rickelton was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 35 runs. Ricky Ponting faced 64 balls and hit four fours. Rickelton also scored 35 runs in the first innings. On the first day of the current match, he faced 82 balls and hit five fours. On the other hand, in the first innings of the Guwahati Test, Markram hit 38 runs off 81 balls with five fours. In the second innings, Markram returned to 29 runs. Ravindra Jadeja made both the openers his prey.

Five catches by Markram in the field

Apart from his batting, Markram has also been well known for his fielding in the ongoing match. He took five catches on the third day of the second Test. As a result, he equaled the world record for most catches by an outfielder in a single innings of a Test match. He became the 17th outfielder to take five catches in a single innings of a match.