‘Consistency over sixes’: Markram backs Pant, explains Shami’s true value for LSG

Kolkata: Aiden Markram has made it clear that Lucknow Super Giants do not need another six-hitting merchant; they need reliability, and that is exactly what he, Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Shami are bringing to the table in IPL 2025.

Speaking on the eve of LSG’s third match, the South Africa white-ball captain underlined the quiet but decisive role he plays in the middle order. “You have a lot of guys now playing T20 cricket that are able to hit sixes from the first ball. My way of doing things might look a bit different,” Markram said. “It’s more about trying to hit good cricket shots and trusting that that’ll work on the day. So there might be a few less sixes, but if I can still strike at the required rate, that makes me happy.”

The 30-year-old’s self-appraisal is mirrored in his assessment of Pant, who has already shown flashes of the form that once made him India’s most feared white-ball batter. “Any team that has Rishabh firing is a better team,” Markram observed. “He’s an absolute entertainer with serious abilities. He always wants to lead from the front. You can’t keep a good player down for too long.”

Pant’s willingness to seek counsel has also impressed the LSG camp. Despite owning the final call, the wicket-keeper regularly bounces ideas off the franchise’s leadership cluster that includes Markram, Mitch Marsh, Nicholas Pooran and strategic advisor Kane Williamson. “It’s his team and he wants to do it his own way, which is important,” Markram said. “Whenever there’s a bit of uncertainty he liaises with myself, Mitch, Nikki and obviously Kane.”

If Pant provides the fireworks, Shami offers the control. The India quick, playing his first IPL since ankle surgery, claimed three wickets in the previous outing and has already begun mentoring rookie quicks Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav. “There’s no one really like him,” Markram said of Shami. “To have him in the team and also have him sharing that knowledge with some of the younger pacers is invaluable.”

Luckwood’s injury ledger looks healthier than it did 12 months ago, a factor Markram believes could prove decisive in a tournament decided by slim margins. “Definitely better than last year,” he noted. “We’ve seen really good things from the pace attack in the first two games.”

Away from the IPL spotlight, Markram reflected on the innings that defined his Test career: the 136 against India in the 2023 World Test Championship final at Lord’s. “It’ll go down as one of the coolest days of my life,” he said. “To have done it at a place like Lord’s, with our friends and family around, it was special.”

He also tipped his cap to Rajasthan Royals’ 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has grabbed headlines with a fearless brand of batting. “You try to think back to when I was 15... He’s walking out in IPL and smacking sixes. He is completely fearless. I’m sure he’s going to have a huge future ahead of him.”

For now, Markram’s future is tied to delivering calm, calculated performances for LSG. “Trying to be consistent, whether you’re doing well or not, is important as a human being,” he said. “That’s sort of now what I strive towards managing.” In a format obsessed with maximums, Lucknow’s quiet accumulator could yet prove the loudest statement of all.