Aiden Markram believes that the batting coach should not be blamed for the series loss

After a clinical performance in the Test series, South Africa found themselves on the receiving end of a dominant drubbing in the six-match ODI series against the visiting Indian side. The hosts could only manage to snatch a single victory as they lost 5-1 in the limited-overs series, which was also their first ever series loss against India on their home turf.

After suffering three huge injury blows to AB de Villiers ahead of the start, skipper Faf du Plessis after the first ODI and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock following the 2nd ODI, young Aiden Markram was appointed the captain of the side for the series. While de Villiers returned into the line-up in the fourth ODI, but the South African batters were absolutely short of answers against the Indian bowling attack, especially the two wrist spinners.

He is not to be blamed

They failed miserably and never were able to successfully counter-attacked the Indian spinners barring the 4th ODI. However, one of their best players of spin bowling, opener Hashim Amla was dismissed to the fast bowlers on most occasions, which never gave him the chance to take on the spinners.

Even after a poor show by the side, stand-in skipper Markram feels that the South African batting coach Dale Benkenstein is not to be blamed. He reckoned that the players are mature enough to understand their role in the team. Markram rather praised the coach for sharing brilliant ideas and helping out the guys in the training sessions.

“Not a lot at all, to be honest with you. Each player knows exactly what they need to do to deliver for the side. The batting coach has been brilliant in terms of offering ideas and helping guys out in the nets. He’s got a really good cricket brain and gives some very valuable information,” said Markram after the end of the ODI series while interacting with the media.

The players have failed to do the justice to their role

He stated that the players own the responsibility themselves and not the batting coach.

“It’s the players ourselves who have not done it justice. I don’t think he needs to take the blame for this. It’s completely down to the players. He can only control so much. When the game happens, he sits on the side and doesn’t have much influence. It’s us as players who were at fault this series and it is something we will get better at,” added the stand-in skipper.