New Delhi [India] April 20 (ANI): Former South Africa wicketkeeper/batter Mark Boucher believed that Aiden Markram stepped up as a senior player after Marsh left the team for personal reasons.

He felt that Markram's leadership role was further solidified when Marsh and Pooran were dismissed early in the game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

'I think when Marsh left for personal reasons, that's when Markram sort of came into his own because he almost adopted that 'I'm the senior player here' [position]. And with Marsh and Pooran getting out [early in this game], I thought that brought the best out of him as well,' he added.

Boucher believed that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Aiden Markram's natural leadership qualities make him a player who steps up in crucial situations.

He said that when the team needs someone to bat through the innings and take calculated risks, Markram takes on the responsibility. This pressure, according to Boucher, often brings out the best in Markram.

'Aiden [Markram] is a natural leader and he is leading South Africa for those reasons as well so when an opportunity like that arises, he'll take it on himself to say, 'Right, I'm the guy who they trust now to bat through the innings and if there's a risk to be taken and a smart risk at that, I'm the guy who'll have to do that'. So it almost forces his hand, which I think sometimes brings the best out of players, certainly brings the best out of Markram.' Mark Boucher said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Aiden Markram's 66 runs off 45 balls (5 boundaries and 3 sixes), he was the highest run scorer for LSG in this clash, he has made 274 runs in eight innings so far in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with a big of 66.

A fantastic last over by Avesh Khan helped Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) defy some serious hitting by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and stand-in skipper Riyan Parag as Rajasthan Royals (RR) fell short by two runs at their home venue of Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

In the current standings, RR is in eighth spot with two wins and six losses, whereas LSG is in fourth spot with five wins and three losses. (ANI)