International cricket can be harsh on young captains and no one knows it better than Virat Kohli, who feels that South Africa should persist with young Aiden Markram, since he has got all the requisite qualities to become a good leader.
Markram was handed the South African captaincy after the first ODI as Faf du Plessis got injured and it was a trial by fire with India trouncing the hosts 5-1 in a lopsided six-match series.
Kohli lauded the in-stand skipper and said that his style of playing is quite dominating and can potentially be in-line to take over du Plessis' role soon in time to come.
"He's (Markram) obviously captained his province and he has captained at the junior level as well. I would really suggest people show patience with him because he is potentially your next leader. He is a top-class batsman as well. Its a joy to watch him play and he has definitely got the talent to dominate as a batsman," Kohli was all praise for the former U-19 World Cup-winning South African captain.
Kohli, who took over as captain in the beginning of 2017 said that Markram needs time to adjust as the responsibility as the leadership tag fell right into his hands when du Plessis was ruled out of the series.
"He's got the right mindset to dominate as a leader too. He just needs some time. I can totally empathize with him because I've been in that position. All I can say is he's on the right track," the Indian captain added.
Kohli had words of encouragement for the young Proteas skipper and mentioned that Markram was quite composed on the field during the One Day Internationals and was quite impressed with the fact that the in-stand skipper never lost his cool which was a positive sign.
"It is not easy and I understand it. Especially, when the results are not going your way. I have been very impressed with his batting and as a captain as well he is really composed from what I saw in the field. It is not easy when things are not going your way but he is someone who doesn't seem to lose his cool, which I think is a very good thing and a very positive sign", Kohli signed off.
(With PTI Inputs)
