It’s been 53 days since that unforgettable night on June 29 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, where South Africa’s men’s cricket team found themselves in uncharted waters, experiencing the emotional rollercoaster of their first-ever senior World Cup final. The day ended in heartbreak as India clinched the T20 World Cup by a slender margin of seven runs, leaving the Proteas to digest the bitter taste of defeat. But how is Aiden Markram, South Africa’s T20I captain, holding up after such a crushing loss?
“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,” Markram shared during a press conference from Guyana on Tuesday. He emphasized the importance of giving himself the necessary time to cope with the setback, indicating that the pain, while still evident, has lessened as weeks passed.
Reflecting on the dramatic conclusion of their match, Markram recounted the hunger and determination that took the South African team further than ever before. Despite losing by just seven runs, the emotional toll was palpable, particularly as the team had several other close encounters in their T20I history, including games decided by similarly narrow margins and even one tie. Yet, nothing compared to the weight of losing a World Cup final.
“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,” Markram said. “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.”
Now, the Proteas have returned to the Caribbean, gearing up to face West Indies in a three-match T20I series in Tarouba, Trinidad, starting from Friday and concluding on Tuesday. However, this time, the squad looks different. Only three players from the World Cup final XI are part of this tour: Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Tristan Stubbs. Markram and Stubbs have just completed a Test series against the Windies, which South Africa won 1-0 under Temba Bavuma’s leadership.
When asked about the challenges of transitioning between ranks and leadership roles, Markram downplayed the difficulties. “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,” he stated. He stressed the significance of a consistent message within the team, ensuring that every player feels valued and supported, regardless of the changing faces within the squad.
“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. 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,” he continued.
The South African captain is hopeful that conditions in Tarouba will be more favorable this time around. During the T20 World Cup, the pitch received an “unsatisfactory” rating from the ICC due to its inconsistent bounce. In one semifinal match, South Africa bowled out Afghanistan for 56 runs, marching to the finals with a nine-wicket victory. However, throughout the tournament, teams batting first struggled significantly, with scores as low as 40 to 95 in four of the five games played at the venue.
Conditions were notably better for the South Africans during a tour match against a West Indies Championship XI before the Test series. The match saw high scores with two centuries and six fifties, including Markram’s own stellar performance of 82 off 107 balls, with 56 runs coming from boundaries. This game brought a much-needed morale boost for Markram, contrasting sharply with the memories of June 29.
Despite the upcoming challenges, Markram remains hopeful. He acknowledges that even a successful series in the Caribbean won’t completely erase the sting of their World Cup final loss. However, he is determined to look forward, believing that happier and more triumphant days lie ahead for the team. Part of moving on is the conviction that their journey is far from over and that they can aspire to more World Cup finals and, hopefully, future victories.