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Former South African captain AB de Villiers believes the time has finally come for the Proteas and has earmarked them to beat Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. However, the ex-keeper-batter feels the game will be quite close, with Team India boasting of superstars themselves.
With South Africa reaching the final of any men's World Cup edition for the very first time, Aiden Markram has the chance to go where no other captain has. The 29-year-old's side also has the opportunity to win the T20 World Cup without losing a match, a first in history.
Speaking in a social media post, De Villiers claimed:
"The moment of truth has arrived. South Africans have been waiting for 33 years to see the Proteas play in an ICC World Cup final. After so many heartbreaks, we know all about them. South Africa will play India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday and I am backing the Proteas to win. It will be close as we all know India are a team of superstars but I believe South Africa's time has come."
South Africa has won a host of close games in the tournament, which otherwise tends to go against them in the global events. Markram's men demolished Afghanistan by nine wickets in the semi-final to seal a spot in the decider.
"Some will say that they have not produced their best cricket in the tournament" - AB de Villiers
De Villiers also observed that South Africa have all the bases covered and suggested that India will also need something special to halt their eight-match winning streak. On this, he said:
"This Proteas team brings power. Power at the top order with De Kock, Hendricks, and Markram, power in the middle with Miller, Klaasen, and Stubbs, and power in the pace attack of Jansen, Rabada, and Nortje. Now add the skills of Shamsi and Maharaj, and you've all the bases covered. Some will say that they have not produced their best cricket in the tournament so far but they have won eight from eight and that's not bad."
South Africa men's team last reached the semi-final in 2014.
