KL Rahul vs Aiden Markram - comparing their stats after 46 Tests

South African opener Aiden Markram experienced a career-defining moment as he was named the Player of the Match for his brilliant performance that helped the Proteas defeat Australia on Day 4 (Saturday, June 14) to clinch the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC).

The final, which began on Wednesday, June 11, at Lord’s, saw the reigning champions Australia bowled out for 212 in their first innings. South Africa faltered in response, managing just 138. Australia then posted 207 in their second innings, setting South Africa a stiff target of 282 runs in the fourth innings.

Markram rose to the occasion, crafting a superb 136 off 207 balls, including 14 boundaries, to steer his team to a memorable five-wicket win — earning South Africa their first ICC title in 27 years.

Next up on the Test calendar is another blockbuster contest, as India gear up to face England in a five-match series starting June 20 at Headingley in Leeds. With veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Test cricket, Karnataka batter KL Rahul will be the backbone of India’s batting line-up, bringing his experience of 58 Tests to the fore.

On that note, this article takes a closer look at how Aiden Markram and KL Rahul stack up statistically after 46 Tests each.

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Comparing the stats of KL Rahul and Aiden Markram after 46 Tests

#1 Most runs

KL Rahul made his Test debut against Australia in 2014 and has since represented India in 58 matches, accumulating 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57, with 17 half-centuries and eight centuries to his name. In the first 46 Tests of his career, the Karnataka cricketer had amassed 2,624 runs.

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs
KL Rahul	46	79	2,624
Aiden Markram	46	84	2,993

In comparison, Aiden Markram, who made his Test debut for South Africa in 2017, has featured in 46 matches to date, accumulating 2,993 runs.

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#2 Average and most 50-plus scores

Indian batter KL Rahul averaged 34.08 in his first 46 Test matches, recording 13 half-centuries and seven centuries, with a highest score of 199 against England in 2016 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Player	Matches	Average	Fifties	Hundreds	Highest score
KL Rahul	46	34.08	13	7	199
Aiden Markram	46	36.50	13	8	152

In contrast, Aiden Markram has maintained an average of 36.50 across his first 46 Test appearances, registering 13 fifties and eight centuries, with his top score of 152 coming against Australia in 2018 at the Wanderers Stadium.

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#3 Runs in a winning cause

Out of KL Rahul’s first 46 Test matches, India emerged victorious on 27 occasions. In these wins, the right-handed batter scored 1,641 runs in 46 innings at an average of 37.29, including eight half-centuries and four centuries.

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average
KL Rahul	27	46	1,641	37.29
Aiden Markram	31	54	2,178	41.88

In comparison, Aiden Markram has played 46 Tests for South Africa, with the Proteas winning 31 of those matches. In these victories, the 30-year-old has accumulated 2,178 runs in 54 innings at an impressive average of 41.88, which includes 11 fifties and five centuries.

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#4 Away record

In his first 46 Tests, KL Rahul played 31 matches away from home, where the 33-year-old accumulated 1,719 runs in 56 innings at an average of 30.70, including five half-centuries and six centuries.

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average
KL Rahul	31	56	1,719	30.70
Aiden Markram	17	31	791	25.52

By comparison, Aiden Markram’s Test career so far includes 17 matches played overseas, in which the right-hander has scored 791 runs in 31 innings at an average of 25.52, with three fifties and two centuries to his name.