"An exciting occasion against a good opposition in India" - Aiden Markram ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 final
South African captain Aiden Markram feels the chance to face a mighty Indian side in the T20 World Cup 2024 final is an exciting prospect for his side. The right-handed batter said they will take heart from moving in the right direction, regardless of a win or a loss in the summit clash.
The Proteas have reached the final of the 2024 World Cup against all odds, prevailing in close matches, contrary to their history. Their road to the final comprises victories over the likes of the West Indies, England, and Afghanistan, and have reached the summit clash of any World Cup for the first time.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the final, Markram admitted that South Africa have not ended up in ICC events where they would've liked over the years despite the hard yards.
"Whether you win or whether you lose, you've gone a step further at least, and for us that's going in the right direction. It's a new game of cricket. We all know India's a great team. Us as a team of South Africans, have been training in the right direction in the last couple of years but maybe not progressed in tournaments as far as we would have liked. An exciting occasion against a good opposition in India but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well," he stated.
South Africa's best performance in the tournament history until this year was reaching the semi-finals in 2014. Incidentally, India knocked them out as Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 72.
"Don't see it as it was me that got us into this position" - Aiden Markram
Markram further claimed to have the confidence that South Africa can win from any position.
"I don't see it as it was me that got us into this position at all. It's been a squad effort, and a squad that's been together for a few years now that's been on a journey. The journey has now finally got us here to our first final, which is a proud and special feeling, not just for me but for everyone involved in the squad. It's given the team the belief that you can win from any position, which I think is important," he said in the same media interaction.
The Proteas last won an ICC event in 1998, while India did it in 2013.