South Africa has faced seven World Cup semi-final defeats across T20 and 50-over formats. However, as they prepare to face India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final on Saturday, South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, expresses his team’s “extreme hunger” to claim their first title.
After overcoming Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Proteas will play in their first-ever World Cup final. Markram believes that their past shortcomings haven’t hindered them but rather fueled their determination throughout the tournament, where they have remained unbeaten.
“There’s a really strong will to win. It’s not desperation, but an extreme hunger to win games of cricket,” Markram stated at a Friday press conference.
He noted that while past defeats haven’t defined them, they have certainly motivated the team. “We haven’t achieved what we’d like on the world stage, and I think that drives the boys to finally accomplish it,” he added.
South Africa has showcased its mental strength through convincing wins and close victories against Bangladesh, Nepal, and England. Markram believes these performances demonstrate the team’s resilience.
“We’ve probably not played our best cricket in certain games, but those close results drive you to get the job done,” he said. “Winning those tight matches gives us the belief that we can win from any position.”
The team effort has been evident, with Quinton de Kock scoring 204 runs at an average of 25.50 and David Miller adding 148 runs at 29.60. Bowlers like Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Tabraiz Shamsi have contributed significantly with double-figure wicket tallies.
Despite breaking their semi-final loss streak, Markram says the team’s hunger remains. “We were a happy bunch after qualifying for the final, but we know we still have one more step to go,” he said. “This drive isn’t just from the coach or captain; it’s a collective feeling. We’re competitive, and no one wants to lose in a final. There’s a massive hunger to win Saturday’s game.”
