“Proteas Won’t Be Taking The First T20I Game As The Rematch..”, Says SA Skipper Aiden Markaram

November 8, 2024: Ahead of the exciting T20I series between India and South Africa, Proteas captain Aiden Markram shared his thoughts on the upcoming matches, noting how much his team looks forward to playing against India, particularly at home. This series holds special significance for the South African squad, especially since they are facing India for the first time since their dramatic defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in June, where India clinched the title.

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Markram emphasized that while the previous World Cup match is fresh in the minds of fans and media, the Proteas aren’t viewing the series as a direct “rematch” of that final. Instead, he highlighted that the focus is on the excitement of playing India on home soil, where the atmosphere and support from local fans will add a unique energy to the matches. He noted that both teams have changed personnel since the World Cup, and the focus will be on this new chapter rather than rehashing past defeats.

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram celebrates the wicket of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi during the men’s T20 World Cup semifinal cricket match between Afghanistan and South Africa at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tabago, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)(PTI06_27_2024_000034B)

The T20 series, beginning on November 8, will be played across four venues in South Africa: Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban, St George’s Park in Gqeberha, SuperSport Park in Centurion, and Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This gives the Proteas an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of their home crowd, making it a thrilling encounter.

South Africa’s Squad:

Aiden Markram (captain)
Ottneil Baartman
Gerald Coetzee
Donovan Ferreira
Reeza Hendricks
Marco Jansen
Heinrich Klaasen
Patrick Kruger
Keshav Maharaj
David Miller
Mihlali Mpongwana
Nqaba Peter
Ryan Rickelton
Andile Simelane
Lutho Sipamla (available for the 3rd and 4th T20Is)
Tristan Stubbs

India’s T20I Squad:

Suryakumar Yadav
Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson
Rinku Singh
Tilak Varma
Jitesh Sharma
Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel
Ramandeep Singh
Varun Chakaravarthy
Ravi Bishnoi
Arshdeep Singh
Vijaykumar Vyshak
Avesh Khan
Yash Dayal

The series promises to be a compelling one, with both teams eager to make their mark and prove their mettle. For India, a chance to continue their winning ways after the World Cup victory, and for South Africa, an opportunity to assert themselves on home turf and bounce back after the World Cup final defeat.

Disha Rojhe