Markram emphasized that regardless of the outcome, the team is moving in the right direction
29 June, 2024
PHOTO: AFP
South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, is optimistic about his team's chances in the T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados on Saturday.
This will be South Africa's first appearance in a World Cup final, while India is under pressure to end their ICC title drought, which has lasted since 2013.
Speaking ahead of the big game, Markram acknowledged the pressure his team has faced in the past but emphasized that this is a new game. He praised India as a strong team but expressed excitement about the opportunity for South Africa to showcase their progress.
"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 like. So, an exciting occasion tomorrow against a good opposition in India, but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well," Markram said.
Both teams have had an unbeaten run in the tournament, with South Africa overcoming several challenging situations. Markram highlighted that these experiences have boosted the team's confidence and determination.
"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," he further added.
Markram emphasized that regardless of the outcome, the team is moving in the right direction. He hopes that a victory in their first final will break the narrative that has surrounded the team in the past.
"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 concluded.
