South Africa Proteas, unbeaten throughout almost a month of cricket across the USA and the Caribbean, will face off against India at the Kensington Oval on Saturday in the T20 World Cup final, both teams looking to end long waits for glory.
A tournament which has been a mixed bag in terms of quality, entertainment, and attendances has certainly succeeded in setting up a final between the two best teams in the shortest format.
India crushed defending champions England by 68 runs in Guyana on Thursday, the day after South Africa thrashed Afghanistan by nine wickets in Trinidad, ending a long and agonising wait for a title game.
This will be South Africa’s first senior men’s final since the inaugural Champions Trophy in Bangladesh in 1998 when the Proteas beat the West Indies in the title match.
Over the years, the Proteas have been labelled ‘chokers’ by their critics, with many questioning how a nation that has produced so many talented players hasn’t been able to make a final for 26 years.
Skipper Aiden Markram, who was part of the team beaten by Australia in the ODI World Cup last year, says the players haven’t reflected much on the years of near-misses and disappointments.
“We haven’t spoken about it, to be honest. I think it’s a personal and individual motivation that you get to a final; to earn the opportunity to hopefully lift the trophy,” Markram said after the win over Afghanistan. “So you reflect back to five months ago we couldn’t get over the line in that semi-final, and you look at (here) a few things went our way. We managed to win the game, and we found ourselves in the final.”
Certainly, there has been no hint that South Africa have lacked belief in this tournament — they topped Group D with a 100% record, including wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Then in the Super Eights, they won all three games with victories over England and co-hosts West Indies and the USA.
“This team’s been together for a long time now as a white ball group, both formats. We feel and we believe that we can compete with the best in the world, and we can win trophies. And it’s nice for us to now have that opportunity,” Markram said.
“You do get belief though from winning close games and potentially winning games that you thought you weren’t going to win. It does a lot for your changing room and the vibe in the changing room. So, we’ll take a little bit of confidence from that and see if we can put it to any use in the final,” he added.
Markram’s leadership has been instrumental in South Africa’s resurgence. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen have guided the team through pressure situations, instilling a sense of resilience and determination.
The Proteas’ journey to the final has been marked by a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents, creating a balanced and formidable squad.
South Africa’s batting lineup has shown depth and consistency, with key contributions from Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and David Miller.
The top order’s ability to set a strong foundation has allowed the middle and lower order to play with freedom and aggression. De Kock’s explosive starts and Van der Dussen’s stability have been crucial in posting competitive totals.
On the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have spearheaded the attack with pace and precision. Their ability to take early wickets and contain runs in the death overs has been pivotal.
The spin department, led by Tabraiz Shamsi, has also played a significant role, providing crucial breakthroughs and maintaining pressure on the opposition.
India, on the other hand, enters the final with a formidable lineup and a wealth of experience.
Their journey to the final has been characterized by dominant performances, with standout displays from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. The clash between South Africa’s disciplined bowling and India’s explosive batting promises to be a captivating contest.
As the Proteas prepare for the final showdown, the memories of past disappointments will serve as a motivator rather than a burden. The team’s focus remains on executing their plans and playing with the same intensity and belief that has brought them this far.
The opportunity to lift the T20 World Cup trophy is within their grasp, and the Proteas are determined to seize it.
Saturday’s final at the Kensington Oval is not just a match; it’s a culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
For South Africa, it’s a chance to rewrite history, to shed the ‘chokers’ tag, and to etch their names in the annals of cricketing glory.
