India, Oct. 4 -- Who remembers Neil Brand? Probably, no one. Brand was the cricketer who captained South Africa over a two-Test series in New Zealand in 2024. Not that he was a chosen one. The team was makeshift as the main players played in the South Africa T20 league instead. Brand was the leader of that very inexperienced team. Needless to say, the Proteas lost both games without putting up much fight.

Brand is currently heading Cricket South Africa Invitation XI against the touring Aussies ahead of the first Test, and he made a fantastic 152 on the opening day on Saturday. He took just 174 balls and hit 16 fours and five sixes. With that effort, Brand is back in the limelight.

He has not played for South Africa since that tour. All ...