South Africa captain Aiden Markram has minimized the threat posed by Team India and its star players ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, scheduled for Saturday in Barbados. While acknowledging India’s past successes in cricket, including winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and two ODI World Cups, Markram expressed confidence in his team’s abilities.

“Probably I just see it as a new game of cricket…”

He views the final as a significant opportunity for South Africa, their first men’s World Cup final, to clinch the elusive trophy.

“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,” Markram said on the eve of the match.

“So, an exciting occasion tomorrow against a good opposition in India, but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well.”

South Africa’s path to the final and preparation

South Africa’s journey to their maiden men’s World Cup final has been marked by winning all eight matches, although some were closely contested against teams like Bangladesh and Nepal.

“There have been close moments in games that would have probably affected the result and we managed to win those moments,” He said. “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.”

“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.

“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.”

“…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,” he said.

“…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.”

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024, Final, South Africa vs India Live streaming

Markram emphasized the team’s resilience in winning tight matches, suggesting it will be advantageous in the final showdown. Despite the demanding schedule and constant travel during the World Cup, Markram indicated satisfaction with the team’s progress and mindset heading into the championship match. He highlighted the team’s motivation and determination to seize the trophy, reflecting their focused approach towards the upcoming final against India.