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Captain Aiden Markram asserted South African team was not looking at the four-match T20I series against Team India as a chance to avenge their defeat to the Men in Blue in the T20 World Cup final in June. The two powerhouses of world cricket will collide in the first T20I at the Kingsmead, in Durban, on Friday, November 8.
The Proteas needed 30 runs off the last five overs in the final in Barbados with six wickets to spare and Heinrich Klaasen firing on all cylinders. However, tight bowling at the death by the Indian seamers saw the South Africans falling short of India’s score by seven runs. This was South Africa’s maiden appearance in a World Cup final and they almost got their hands on the coveted prize.
However, Markram said that his team is focusing on the challenge of playing against India at home and executing their game plans to perfection rather than trying to exact revenge on the Asian giants for the T20 World Cup final defeat.
“It’s the same countries I guess, but personnel has changed for both teams. It’s always an exciting series when you play against India and especially when you play them at home. It’s a series we have always looked forward to. We have not addressed anything about it being a rematch or things like that. Obviously, a lot of talk and promotions have happened through that lens, which is completely understandable,” Markram said during the pre-match press conference.
After the T20 World Cup triumph, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja retired from the format. Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah were also part of the playing XI in the final but they have been rested for this series. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, with Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh for the company.
Also Read: ‘It’s a bonus that potentially could follow’ – Aiden Markram on playing India ahead of IPL auction
Meanwhile, for the Proteas, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi, who played pivotal roles in the World Cup, will not feature in the T20Is against India. However, others who played in the finals of the marquee event like Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Markram have been picked in the squad which will face India.
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