Kohli impressed by Aiden Markram

Virat Kohli says Aiden Markram has the makings of a great captain and batsman.

The Proteas skipper had a contrasting series to his opposite number. He struggled to push on with the bat and failed to save his side from a humiliating 5-1 series defeat to India.

Kohli showed all the hallmarks of a great captain – aggression, passion and intensity, which showed with his performances with the bat – as he scored three centuries as part of his 558-run tally. Kohli led by example, scoring 558 runs, which included two centuries. While Markram struggled with the bat and only managed 127 runs with a high score of 32.

The India skipper, who made his Test and ODI captaincy debut at 26, empathised with the 23-year-old South African captain.

‘It’s not easy, especially when the results aren’t going your way,’ said Kohli.

‘I’ve been very impressed with him as a batsman and as a captain as well. Of what I saw in the field he’s very composed. He’s someone who doesn’t seem to lose his cool. Which I think is a very good thing and a very positive sign.

‘He’s obviously captained his province and at the junior levels. I would really suggest that people show patience with him because he’s potentially your [the Proteas’] next leader.

‘He’s a top-class batsman and it’s a joy to watch him play. He’s definitely got the talent to dominate as a batsman and has the right mindset to dominate as a leader as well, he just needs some time.

‘I can totally empathise with him because I have been in that position, all I can say is he is on the right track.’

Markram spoke about his admiration of Kohli as a leader.

‘Virat’s desperation to win games for his side is massive,’ said Markram. ‘That’s why he conducts himself like he does. It’s all from a competitive point of view, it’s nothing malicious.

‘That same desperation is shown when he bats, because he really wants to finish games, he doesn’t want to just get close to the line, he wants to get his side over the line.

‘There’s a lot of things I can learn from him and their team as a whole. There’s also a lot I can learn from the Proteas. Taking little pieces here and there from different players is helping.’