On a hot Friday afternoon, two days before India’s match against South Africa, captain Aiden Markram was the first to hit the net at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, the opener did not have a batting session under assistant coach Albie Morkel. It was bowling.
Instead of South Africa’s famous battery opening drive, it was Markram who started around the wicket, ripping deliveries into the stumps. He repeatedly hit the target and worked tirelessly on the hard back of the length.
As Markram watched, senior spinner Keshav Maharaj walked in. There was quiet chatter about angles – that it would round slightly from this end. Aiden Markram bowls during training in Ahmedabad. (Image: Getty)
And why not? India have struggled with spin throughout the tournament. against the Netherlands, it was Aryan Dutt. Before that it was Gerhard Erasmus. Harmeet Singh raised questions against the US. South Africa watched it all. It would make sense if they put their chips in that box. Master the power play. Dominate India.
It was a very heavy spell for South Africa on 20 February. In fact, most of the players weren’t even on the major networks. But you get the feeling that the right people were there. Head coach Shukri Conrad kept watch from the sidelines as the bowling unit went to work.
But who trained outside of Markram?
The pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and youngster Kwena Mphaka made up the nets on Friday. Among the spinners, Tristan Stubbs briefly rolled his arm before moving on to batting practice. Apart from Markram, it was only Maharaj who bowled this session.
Interestingly, there were no batsmen in the main nets as the bowlers went about their business. It was purely about lengths, release points and variations. About hitting the same spot over and over again. But we’ll get to that.
STUBBS, BREVIS PLAY SPINNERS
Behind the main pitch is a smaller range at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This was where Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis came into the innings, with Albie Morkel watching closely. Brevis was fed leg-spinner – both right and left arm – and tried to put the bowler on. Not everything came out in the middle. There were ill-timed hits. A few who didn’t travel. Dewald Brevis at networks in Ahmedabad. (Image: Getty)
Stubbs, on the other hand, looked more determined. He was repeatedly asked to hit the line after Morkel’s throws. Unlike Brevis, who aimed for square boundaries, Stubbs went straighter and harder. He looked in control rather than trying to improvise in his shots.
While only two batsmen turned up for practice on Friday, it was a different story for the bowling group.
Markram’s efforts to find the perfect ‘Aryan Dutt’ ball was unmistakable. Dutch spinner Aryan Dutt dismissed both Indian openers in the powerplay at this very spot. It was no coincidence that Markram looked intent on nailing that length driver around the wicket.
He flashed it over and over. Hit the stumps. Edited. He went again. Aiden Markram could be key to South Africa’s plans against India. (Image: Getty)
In 15 T20Is against India, Markram bowled only 14 overs. He took two wickets at an economy rate of pushing 10. It looked like the captain was trying to change that pattern. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he looked early on Sunday.
Much of the bowling was aimed at left-handers. Apart from Markram’s variations, Maharaj operated in his natural rhythm before deliberately focusing on flatter, wider yorker deliveries. The message seemed clear: if India survive the power play, be prepared to dominate. Bowl flat and sharp. Stay away from the impact arc. Make them keep pace on the ball.
The work of the fast bowlers was equally revealing. Kagiso Rabada, who has been expensive in this tournament, has focused on finding his rhythm. Rabada had a tough game against Afghanistan earlier in the group stage, also here in Ahmedabad. There was no rush in his run on Friday. Just repetition. Kagiso Rabada during a training session in Ahmedabad. (Image: Getty)
Rabada spent time perfecting his cutters and worked closely with coaches to ensure he could land these variations accurately. It wasn’t about pace. It was an execution.
Young left-armer Kwen Mphaka went all out for most of his spell, repeatedly plucking yorkers at a brisk pace. Lungi Ngidi concentrated on hard lengths and looked for extra zip off the surface. The work was methodical. Specific. Targeted.
Corbin Bosch was a notable absentee during the main bowling. He came out almost half an hour before the bowlers finished, received a toss and was asked to clear the boundary. He connected with a few, but the main work of the day was already done.
As things stand, Anrich Nortje might miss the India match. Although he was at training, he didn’t bowl much.
If Friday’s session was anything to go by, the emphasis is on control. Especially through finger rotation and variations. South Africa have already played two evening matches at this venue. They understand how the surface behaves under the lights.
And maybe that’s why Markram bowled first. The session wasn’t too over the top or frantic. It was accurate. Deliberately. Almost obstinate in its repetition. South Africa are not looking for magic on Sunday. They seek control. And if that check starts with their part-time powerhouse rolling his arm, so be it.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 20, 2026