(PTI Photo)
South Africa, often criticized for faltering under pressure in major tournaments, have defied expectations with close victories in this competition. Captain Aiden Markram emphasized their newfound belief that they can triumph in any situation, as they prepare to face India in the T20 World Cup final.
Meanwhile, India, renowned for their roster of cricketing superstars, faces the weight of expectations, having not clinched an ICC title since 2013. In contrast, South Africa enters their first-ever World Cup final with a fresh perspective and no previous experience in this position.
Looking ahead to the showdown on Saturday, Markram acknowledged past instances where South Africa has struggled under pressure, highlighting the team’s determination to rewrite history.
“Probably I just see it as a new game of cricket, to be honest. We all know India’s a great team. Us as a team, as South Africans, have been sort of trending in the right direction the last couple of years, but maybe not progressed in tournaments as far as we would have liked.
“So, an exciting occasion tomorrow against a good opposition in India, but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well,” said Markram.
Both South Africa and India enter the final with flawless records, though South Africa has encountered several challenges en route.
Their victories over Nepal and Bangladesh were hard-fought, while even the low-scoring match against co-hosts West Indies was tightly contested.
Markram emphasized that these close wins have bolstered his team’s confidence significantly, making them determined not to settle for anything less than victory in the final.
“There have been close moments in games that would have probably affected the result and we managed to win those moments.
“To have done them two, three, maybe four times throughout the competition so far has sort of given the team the belief that you can win from any position, which I think is quite important for a team to have that,” said Markram.
While India may be considered clear favorites for the title, South Africa also possesses significant strengths.
The team is eager to carve out a new chapter in their country’s storied cricket history. Despite this ambition, the packed schedule has left them little time to dwell on the enormity of the occasion.
“You play a game, you get on a plane, you fly, you check in at a new hotel and play your next game of cricket the next day. So, I don’t think there’s too much reflecting that happens.
“But it’s more the opportunity that we have of being in a final that sort of excites me quite a bit I think after the competition we will sit back and really appreciate what we’ve achieved so far as a team,” he said.
Markram emphasized that regardless of the outcome on Saturday, his team is progressing positively.
“But yeah, we’d love to get to our first final and be able to win that first final. And hopefully in the years to come that can break the burden of what a lot of other people are saying about us as a team,” he said.
Regarding the seven-hour delay they faced in Trinidad due to the runway closure in Barbados, Markram opted to focus on the silver linings.
“Yeah, we’ve had a couple (in Florida as well). I suppose a lot of other teams have gone through similar things. And we joke about it as a team and say, like, we’re kind of used to it now.
“There’s no point sulking around and making it more miserable than what it might already seem to be. So, it was a slightly longer day yesterday (laughs).”
Regarding the team’s mindset after the semi-final victory over Afghanistan, Markram added:“…you say, ‘guys, we’ve still got one more step to go’. So, it’s not driven by coach or by captain. The whole unit sort of feels that and is driven by that.
“…sportsmen are highly competitive people and nobody would want to lose, and especially not lose in a final. So, I think there’s no sense that the guys are satisfied regardless of the result tomorrow. I think there’s still a massive hunger for us to go out and win tomorrow’s game.”
