Aiden Markram struck a magnificent unbeaten century on Friday (June 13) to put South Africa in the path of defeating Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025. The game is being hosted at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Markram began the second innings for South Africa and closed the day with 102 runs. He played 159 deliveries and scored 11 fours. He also built a strong 143-run partnership in 232 balls for the third wicket with captain Temba Bavuma, who is batting on 65 runs from 121 balls. Kohli’s Old Praise for Markram Goes Viral Following Markram's century with a four off Josh Hazlewood in the 55th over, a seven-year-old tweet of Virat Kohli became viral. In March 2018, Kohli had tweeted, "Aiden Markram is a delight to watch." Punjab Kings posted the old tweet on X following Markram's hundred. 💯💯#WTC25 #WtcFinal2025 pic.twitter.com/qyATJJ0X4z — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) June 13, 2025 Also Read | Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni Who was the better Test Captain? Markram had got a six-ball duck in the first innings, but played with confidence and caution in the second. He initially contributed 61 runs with Wiaan Mulder (27 of 50 balls) after South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton for 6 in the third over. He then formed a good stand with Bavuma to keep South Africa on the driver's seat. This century is unique as Markram became the first South African cricketer to reach a hundred in an ICC final. Among the 16 hundreds achieved by players in ICC finals in all formats, this is the first by a Proteas batter. Markram became the third batter to score a century in an ICC final at Lord's after Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards. He also became the only player, along with Steve Smith and Travis Head, to score a century in a WTC final. Markram took South Africa to last year's T20 World Cup final. Now, he will seek to complete the job on Day 4 by assisting South Africa in chasing the remaining 69 runs and claiming their first ICC title since 1998.