'Aiden Markram has been guilty' - Former India opener reveals masterplan to dismiss Proteas batter in Ahmedabad

India are all set to square off against the Aiden Markram-led South Africa in the Super Eights encounter of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday, February 22. Ahead of the mouthwatering contest, all eyes are on India's Abhishek Sharma, but former cricketer Aakash Chopra wants everyone to focus on the Proteas' opener, Markram, instead.

Chopra has suggested that Suryakumar Yadav should look to introduce Axar Patel early on against his opposition counterpart, given the latter's struggles against left-arm spin. Chopra further highlighted that Markram also holds a poor record against the legbreak deliveries, and hence, Varun Chakravarthy is also likely to be handed the ball during the powerplay overs.

"Even before Varun Chakravarthy, I feel Axar Patel, because he (Markram) goes at a run-a-ball against him. His strike rate is slightly better against everyone else. Axar has dismissed him three times and has bowled only 34 or 35 balls, in which he has scored only 38 runs. It is well-documented that left-arm spin versus Aiden Markram is an issue. He has an issue against leg-spin as well, but it's also there against left-arm spin," Chopra said in via his YouTube channel.

"So Axar Patel should be introduced early. He likes playing on the off side and likes playing inside-out shots. Axar bowls from wide of the crease and brings the ball in, and Markram feels he is playing with the spin on the off side, but it's not with the spin. The bowl comes in with the arm and keeps going in after pitching. Markram has been guilty. He tries to play on the off side or goes slightly back to full deliveries," he added.

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Markram's struggles against Arshdeep

Furthermore, Chopra has added more positive points for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh's head-to-head record against the South African captain. The incoming deliveries from Arshdeep might cause trouble for Markram early on in the innings.

"If you see his numbers against Arshdeep, he has dismissed him six times. The incoming ball troubles him many times. Arshdeep tries to hit his pads, although he reminds me a little of Jacques Kallis. He looks brilliant," he said.

It will be interesting to see India's approach with the ball at the Motera deck on Sunday, with the pitch tending to provide a lot more assistance to the bowlers.