South Africa falls short in T20 World Cup Final against India, here is what SA skipper said

In a thrilling finale to the 2024 T20 World Cup, South Africa suffered a heartbreaking seven-run loss to India. The Proteas, who had been unbeaten throughout the tournament, seemed on course for their first-ever World Cup title. With just 30 runs needed off the last 30 balls, victory appeared within reach. However, India pulled off an incredible comeback to snatch the win in dramatic fashion.

Despite the disappointment, South African captain Aiden Markram remained optimistic about the future of cricket in his country. He acknowledged the progress made by reaching their first-ever World Cup final, breaking their semifinal jinx.

“Hopefully it’s one step closer,” Markram said after the match. “We’d like to think we’re moving in the right direction and hopefully this can lead to more success in the future.”

The match itself was a rollercoaster. South Africa started strong, reducing India to 34/3 early on. But Virat Kohli, supported by Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, helped India post a challenging total of over 175.

In reply, Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs laid a solid foundation for South Africa. Heinrich Klaasen then took center stage with a blistering innings that seemed to put the game beyond India’s reach. However, an extraordinary turn of events in the final overs saw India claw their way back to victory.

Markram praised the pitch, calling it a “great wicket” that offered something for both batsmen and bowlers. He also commended the groundsmen for preparing an excellent surface for the final.

While acknowledging the pain of the loss, Markram remained proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament. “It’s gut-wrenching,” he admitted. “But we can channel this moving forward. For now, we’ll let ourselves feel what we need to feel and then start reflecting positively.”