Even in the midst of his demanding national responsibilities in Kent, where the Indian squad is busy conducting intra-squad red-ball training for the upcoming five-Test series in England, Rishabh Pant spared time to pay homage to a historic moment witnessed at Lord's. While South Africa won the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final by chasing a target of 282 from Australia, Pant's focus was not only on the win, but on the man responsible for it: Aiden Markram, his Lucknow Super Giants' IPL 2025 teammate. The wicketkeeper-batter took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to shower praise on Markram’s brilliant 136 under pressure a knock that played a key role in ending South Africa’s 27-year ICC title drought and securing their first major trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy. On the fourth day of WTC final, Lord's historic air was equaled by sheer significance of what happened in the middle. South Africa continued their innings at 213/2, requiring only 69 runs to make history but with the task of completing a job that many of their great forebears had left unfinished. Here is what Pant wrote: Well played, Aiden brother. I am so happy for you – what a great knock under pressure. You have made us all proud and congratulations to South Africa on lifting the WTC mace,” Markram, who had been dismissed for a duck in the first innings, was stoic and untouched on 102* while going into the day, his skipper Temba Bavuma with him on 65*, limping visibly from a niggling hamstring injury. Read also: ICC updates two-ball rule in ODI cricket As the first ball of the day was delivered, the cricketing world waited with bated breath. South Africa has traditionally been synonymous with semi-final meltdowns, knockout jitters, and lost opportunities, wearing a tag of unfulfilled promise. But today, they stood firm. Markram led the Proteas to the doorstep of victory with calm assurance before finally succumbing for 136, six runs short of the victory line. His innings, replete with grace and resistance, will always be etched in the annals of South African cricket history as the defining masterpiece. Bavuma, fighting pain with each step, stood at the crease like a testament of determination, providing an emotional depth to the physical struggle being achieved. Kyle Verreynne, with a sharp cover drive, saw the winning runs home, and with it, the specters of earlier defeats were laid to rest beneath the triumphant cheers.