South Africa’s opening pair Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton produced a rare and historic performance in the ongoing second Test against India in Guwahati. With partnerships of 82 runs in the first innings and 59 runs in the second, the duo became the first South African openers since 2008 to post 50-plus stands in both innings of a Test match on Indian soil.
A Milestone Not Seen Since the Smith–McKenzie Era
It has been nearly two decades since a South African opening pair achieved the feat in India.
The last time it happened was during the 2008 Chennai Test, when Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie put together stands of 132 and 53. Until Markram and Rickelton’s effort in Guwahati, no Proteas pair had managed to repeat the achievement.
Their calm, structured batting across both innings has now placed them alongside some of South Africa’s most reliable opening duos.
How the Partnerships Unfolded in Guwahati
First Innings: 82 Runs of Stability
On November 22, Markram and Rickelton weathered early challenges to build an 82-run partnership in 26.5 overs, giving South Africa a strong start.
Second Innings: Another Solid 59 Runs
On November 25, they backed it up with a 59-run stand in 18.3 overs, once again laying a dependable platform and ensuring South Africa were never under pressure at the top.
All 50+ Double Opening Stands for South Africa in India
| PLAYERS | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Venue | Year |
| Herschelle Gibbs & Gary Kirsten | 90 | 51 | Mumbai (WS) | 2000 |
| Graeme Smith & Andrew Hall | 61 | 67 | Kanpur | 2004 |
| Graeme Smith & Neil McKenzie | 132 | 53 | Chennai | 2008 |
| Aiden Markram & Ryan Rickelton | 82 | 59 | Guwahati | 2025 |
Individual Contributions: Rickelton’s Grit & Markram’s All-Round Impact
Rickelton contributed 35 runs in both innings, facing 82 balls on Day 1 and 64 balls in the second innings before falling to Ravindra Jadeja, caught by Mohammed Siraj.
Markram added 38 runs from 81 balls in the first innings and continued to look composed in the second. Beyond his batting, he grabbed headlines on Day 3 by taking five catches, equalling the world record for the most catches by an outfielder in a single Test innings.
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