South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, asserts that his team is fueled by an “intense hunger” for victory as they aim for their maiden T20 World Cup title against India this Saturday.
Before their recent triumph over Afghanistan, the Proteas had faced seven defeats in World Cup semifinals across T20 and 50-over formats, marking their first appearance in a championship game.
Markram emphasizes that rather than being weighed down by past setbacks, his team has demonstrated a resolute determination throughout the tournament, remaining undefeated thus far.
“At Friday’s press conference, Markram emphasized, ‘There’s a really strong will to win. I don’t think it’s desperation, but rather an extreme hunger to win games of cricket.’
He further noted that while his team isn’t defined by past defeats, they are undeniably motivated by them.”
“We haven’t achieved ideally on the world stage what we would have liked to, and I think that really motivates the boys to finally achieve it, or at least strive for it,” Markram expressed.
South Africa have notched convincing wins alongside narrow victories against Bangladesh, Nepal, and England, showcasing their team’s resilience, according to Markram.
“In those close matches, we may not have played our best cricket at times, but it’s that very challenge that spurs us on to finish the job,” he remarked. “What stands out for me in this group is our ability to win those tight contests and gain confidence that we can prevail from any situation.”
The Proteas’ success has been a collective effort, with Quinton de Kock leading the batting charts with 204 runs at an average of 25.50, and David Miller contributing 148 runs at 29.60.
Their bowling attack has also been effective, with Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Tabraiz Shamsi all notching double-digit wickets.
Despite the jubilation of breaking their streak of seven semifinal losses, Markram insists the hunger within the team remains strong.
“We were certainly elated after reaching the final, but right after that game in the changing room, we were already talking about taking that final step,” he revealed. “It’s not just the coach or the captain driving this, but the entire unit feels it and is motivated by it. Athletes are inherently competitive, and nobody wants to lose in a final. So, there’s no sense of complacency; there’s still a massive hunger to win Saturday’s game.”
