Proteas captaincy in the offing? A resurgent but coy Markram finds responsibility 'enjoyable'

A rather coy Aiden Markram enjoyed his SA20 campaign as skipper of the triumphant Sunrisers Eastern Cape, but, if he's relishing similar challenges in future, he conceals those feelings well.

The 28-year-old's credentials as a potential Proteas leader, particularly in the 20-over format, is in the spotlight again, especially with national director of cricket Enoch Nkwe previously suggesting that shake-ups in this regard could be on the horizon.

Rumours are already doing the rounds that Temba Bavuma could become Shukri Conrad's Test captain in Dean Elgar's place. Concerns over the right-hander's longevity for 2027's 50-over World Cup in South Africa has also sparked debate that his current tenure in ODIs could come to an end after this year's showpiece in India.

"It was an enjoyable job to have, I suppose," said Markram about his stewardship in a wildly successful first edition of the SA20.

"It's a great humbler at times as well. I just continued to learn and tried to get better with every outing."

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Considered a viable leadership option since leading the national Under-19 side to World Cup glory in 2014, and then being thrust into a temporary captaincy to lead an injury-riddled Proteas in a chastening home ODI series thrashing at the hands of India in 2018, his appointment late last year as Sunrisers Eastern Cape skipper was notable.

Inconsistency has plagued his game for sustained periods since that 2018 series, but a steady renaissance in white-ball cricket since last year has rendered him a vital cog in the batting line-up.

Markram's SA20 responsibilities merely seemed to put his positive state of mind into overdrive.

He scored