India, June 14 -- Some narratives are hard to beat. It was said in commentary that South Africa had never won an ICC trophy. Until another expert corrected and said, "well, they did win the 1998 Champions Trophy, when it was known by another name". Aiden Markram was immersed in the middle at Lord's, else he might have wanted to scream out loud, what about the 2014 U-19 World Cup he led South Africa to a title win in?

But then, Markram is not that sort. All through his 207-ball, 383-minute stay at the crease, in which he denied the greatest Test bowling attack there is, to help South Africa get over the line against Australia to the World Test Championship title, he never allowed himself to break into a smile. Lest his focus waver, resolv...