"I should give it as much time as it needs" - Aiden Markram opens up on South Africa's 2024 T20 World Cup final heartbreak
South Africa's T20I captain Aiden Markram has admitted that the narrow loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final was a tough one to swallow. He, however, asserted that getting some time away from the game has helped him handle the heartbreak in a better manner.
The Proteas were in a dominant position to win the 2024 T20 World Cup final played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29. Chasing 177, they seemed to be cruising at 151-4 after 16 overs. However, not for the first time in a World Cup knockout clash, they crumbled under pressure and ended up on the losing side. In the end, India emerged victorious by seven runs.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the T20I series against West Indies, Markram shared his thoughts on South Africa's failure to win the ICC event held in the West Indies and the United States despite coming so close.
"I should give it as much time as it needs. It was a tough one to swallow at the time. Definitely since then till now, it's got a bit better to handle; to deal with and to process and put to bed," he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"Luckily I was able to take some time to get away from the game, get away from cricket conversations that would spark the discussion once again. It was nice to get away from that and to reset. Each individual processes it pretty much to themselves. Probably the most important thing is making sure you're at peace with how it all ended. So that you can move on and move forward," Markram went on to add.
Markram was dismissed for 4 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. However, Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) put South Africa on course for victory. His dismissal, though, sparked a shocking batting collapse as the Proteas finished on 169-8.
"Not a hell of a big deal for me" - Markram on different captains for different formats
The South African right-handed batter played under Temba Bavuma's leadership in the Tests against West Indies. He is now back as captain for the T20Is. The experienced cricketer, however, doesn't see the change in roles depending on the formats as a problem.
"It's not a hell of a big deal for me. The decision-makers, especially from a white-ball point of view, remain consistent. That allows for continuity in the team. Faces will change and squads will change, but it's important that we keep driving a consistent message to the guys and making sure that they feel backed as players,” the South African T20I captain said in the same interaction.
"And that whatever they bring to the table is good enough for us as a team. So, it's not too complicated. You take on whatever you get given and you try to make the absolute best of it and see where it gets you," Markram concluded.
The South Africa vs West Indies T20I series will kick off with the first match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad on Friday, August 23. The remaining two matches will be played at the same venue on August 25 and August 27.