KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - comparing their stats after opening in 44 Tests

KL Rahul will be a key member of the Indian team that will face South Africa in a two-match Test series at home starting November 14. The first Test of the India vs South Africa series will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while the second Test will be held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Rahul and young Yashasvi Jaiswal have formed an impressive alliance at the top of the order in Test cricket in recent times. Apart from being a left-right combination, the two also complement each other with their varied style of batting. While Jaiswal is often the aggressor, Rahul enjoys grinding down the opposition.

In this feature, we compare Rahul's stats as opener with those of South African batter Aiden Markram. Since the latter has opened in 44 Tests so far, we compare his stats with those of Rahul after the Indian batter had also opened in 44 Tests.

---

KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - Who has more runs and a better average after opening in 44 Tests?

After 44 Tests as opener, Rahul had notched up 2,551 runs at an average of 34.94. Of his runs at that stage, 830 came in 11 matches against England at an average of 41.50. He had also scored 614 runs in 10 Tests against Australia at an average of 38.37 and 240 runs in five Tests against South Africa, averaging 26.66.

In 44 Tests as opener, Markram has 2,981 runs to his name at an average of 37.73. Of his runs, 616 have come in five Tests against Australia at an average of 61.60. He has also scored 682 runs in nine Tests against Pakistan at an average of 42.62 and 452 runs in six Tests against West Indies at an average of 41.09.

---

KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - Who has more hundreds after opening in 44 Tests?

After 44 Tests as opener, Rahul had seven hundreds and 12 half-centuries to his name. His best of 199 came against England in Chennai in December 2016. The Karnataka batter also scored 129 against the same opposition at Lord's in August 2021 and 110 against Australia in Sydney in January 2015. Rahul also scored a memorable 123 against South Africa in Centurion in December 2021.

(KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - Batting stats comparison after opening in 44 Tests)

Markram has eight hundreds and 13 half-centuries to his name as Test opener. His best of 152 came against Australia in Johannesburg in March 2018. The Proteas star also scored 143 in Durban during the same series. Famously, he was the Player of the Match for his sublime 136 as South Africa won the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's in June 2025.

---

KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - Who has a better record in wins after opening in 44 Tests?

After 44 Tests as opener, Rahul had been part of 27 wins. In winning causes, he had scored 1,589 runs at an average of 36.11, with four hundreds and seven half-centuries. In 10 Tests that India had lost, he had scored 413 runs at an average of 20.65, with one ton and two fifties. The 33-year-old had two hundreds and three half-centuries in seven Tests that ended in a draw.

(Rahul vs Markram - Batting stats comparison in wins after opening in 44 Tests)

After 44 Tests as opener, Markram has been part of 30 matches that South Africa have won. In winning causes, he has scored 2,180 runs at an average of 42.74, with five tons and 11 fifties. The 31-year-old has 754 runs in 13 Tests that South Africa have lost, averaging 29, with three hundreds and two half-centuries.

---

KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - Who has a better away record after opening in 44 Tests?

Of his first 44 Tests as opener, Rahul played 29 in away conditions. In away Tests, he had scored 1,682 runs at an average of 32.98, with six hundreds and five half-centuries. On the other hand, in 15 home Tests, he had 869 runs at an average of 39.50, with one ton and seven half-centuries.

(Rahul vs Markram - Away batting stats comparison after opening in 44 Tests)

Of his 44 Tests as opener, Markram has played 14 in away conditions. In away Tests, he has scored 643 runs at an average of 24.73, with one hundred and three fifties. In 29 home Tests, the South African batter has scored 2,202 runs at an average of 43.17, with six hundreds and 10 fifties.

Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news

Edited by Renin Wilben Albert