Aiden Markram vs KL Rahul: Who is the better Test player?

Commentators are heard saying time and again that left-handed batters look more stylish when compared to right-handed batters. However, India's KL Rahul and South Africa's Aiden Markram are two right-handed batters who personify ease and grace with the willow.

KL Rahul came into the limelight after playing in the Under-19 World Cup in 2010. While the Karnataka cricketer did not have a campaign to write home about, he still finished as India's second-highest run-getter behind Mayank Agarwal, scoring 143 runs from six innings at an average of 28.60. Meanwhile, Markram rose to prominence when he led South Africa to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2014. He finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 370 runs in six innings at a mind-boggling average of 123.33.

Rahul made his international debut in December 2014 in a Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He did not have the best of starts, registering scores of 3 and 1, respectively. On the other hand, Markram made an instant impact on his international debut, scoring 97 in his maiden Test innings - against Bangladesh at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom in 2017.

Aiden Markram vs KL Rahul: Who is the better Test player?

Markram started his career as an opening batter. He scored three centuries and two 90s in his first six months. However, the Centurion-born went through a lean patch and has been dropped twice since then. The most recent of those instances being for the tour of Australia in 2022-23. However, after Shukri Conrad became the head coach of the Proteas, he brought Markram back into the side, and the right-handed batter repaid him with a century on his return.

During the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Markram scored 708 runs from 11 Tests at an average of 37.26. His match-winning knock in the WTC final will be remembered for ages, as he scored a majestic 136 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground to help South Africa win the coveted title and help them clinch rheir first ICC title at the senior level since 1998.

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On the other hand, Rahul has gone through plenty of ups and downs in his career. He has batted in every spot in the top six (except No. 5) in the longest format. Rahul has been in and out of the team on several occasions. However, his never-say-die attitude has helped him make several comebacks in the Indian team. In the Border-Gavaskar series, Rahul played some crucial knocks at the top of the order, opening the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The 30-year-old Markram has played 46 Tests, scoring 2993 runs at an average of 36.50. He has registered 13 fifties and eight centuries. Meanwhile, Rahul, 33, has featured in 58 Tests for the Proteas. He has scored 3257 runs at an average of 33.58. The Mangaluru-born has scored 17 fifties and eight tons so far.