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South African batsman Aiden Markram has opened up about his experience with the Super Giants franchise and his special bond with owner Sanjiv Goenka. He shared how the atmosphere inside the teams always makes him feel comfortable despite the immense pressure that comes with franchise cricket.
Markram is now an important part of the Super Giants family in various leagues. After joining Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, he also played for Durban Super Giants in the SA20 and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred.
Aiden Markram reveals special relationship with Sanjiv Goenka
Over time, he has built a strong bond with the entire setup. Markram is also the captain of Manchester Super Giants in England’s The Hundred competition and Durban Super Giants in SA20.
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However, Rishabh Pant was chosen to captain the IPL in place of the South African star and the two seasons were a complete disaster. They finished the IPL 2026 season at the bottom with 8 points.
After LSG’s poor IPL 2026 campaign, Aiden Markram said he feels fortunate to be a part of the RPSG franchise group. He revealed that he has had many positive conversations with Sanjiv Goenka about cricket, team culture and creating a healthy environment where players can truly enjoy themselves.
I feel very fortunate: Aiden Markram on behalf of RPSG Group
The South African batsman pointed out that franchise cricket naturally brings pressure as every player wants to perform well and make the team proud, but Goenka’s calm nature makes things much easier mentally for the players.
He admitted that players in many teams can sometimes feel a heavy burden of expectations. However, the Proteas batsman said he never experienced that uncomfortable pressure with the Super Giants setup, despite knowing how much the franchise wants success.
Aiden Markram said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, “First of all, I feel very fortunate. We’ve had some really good conversations about the game and about creating a good environment where people can enjoy their time while being part of a family. He’s very easy-going, which I really enjoy. I think, as a player, you can often feel a lot of pressure and expectations on your shoulders when representing a franchise. But when I talk to him, When I do it, I don’t feel that kind of heaviness, and that’s really nice.”
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Aiden Markram reveals why expectations never felt heavy under Sanjiv Goenka
Markram also shared that the players understand the kind of opportunities the franchise owners have provided them in various tournaments around the world. Because of that, players always feel motivated to give their best for the team, but without any fear or stress.
“Obviously, they have made it all possible for those of us who are part of the Lucknow or Super Giants family. So, there is a lot to play for, but at least it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and the burden of expectations doesn’t feel bad,” the Proteas star said.
Markram also said that playing for the same franchise group in different leagues feels special as it helps him understand the management better and build a stronger bond with the team over time.