Ahmedabad, February 26 "It doesn't feel easy," South Africa captain Aiden Markram insisted on Thursday, even as his team brushed aside another strong opponent, the West Indies, for a sixth consecutive win in the T20 World Cup and secured their place in the semifinals.
The Proteas' latest triumph – a clinical nine-wicket win while chasing 177 against the West Indies – followed comprehensive victories over New Zealand (by seven wickets) and hosts India (by 76 runs), further solidifying their status as one of the most complete teams in the competition.
Reflecting on the commanding margins against top-tier opposition, Markram said that the external perception of ease was far removed from the internal effort required.
"These are quality teams (New Zealand, India, and the West Indies), and putting in strong performances against sides like that definitely gives you confidence," he said at the post-match press conference.
"But it honestly doesn't feel easy. Every game is a challenge. The intensity is very high, and you know that things can change very quickly in T20 cricket. You wake up the next morning, and it can all be over in a couple of days."
Markram emphasised that the team's focus and preparation had been key to sustaining their success.
"The results might look convincing, but we know how much planning and execution goes into beating teams of that calibre. The players have been fully focused, in every meeting and every training session. There's a lot of pride in this group, and a real determination to achieve something special."
Against the West Indies, South Africa first assessed a surface that offered early grip and bounce before adapting later in the evening.
"Initially, the pitch was very difficult, with a lot of grip and bounce. We tried to exploit that with the ball. As the pitch improved, we had to adjust our plans, and the players did that very well," Markram explained.
Chasing 177, the Proteas batters seamlessly adapted once the conditions improved, surpassing the target with nearly four overs to spare.
"Given the way the wicket was getting better, we felt that 180 was still achievable if we batted well. The intent was there, but it was controlled. The players trusted their skills and followed the plans," he said.
Markram also highlighted the collective nature of the campaign.
"In T20 cricket, you can't rely on just one or two players. If someone has a bad day, someone else has to step up. We've been fortunate that different players have stepped up at different times."
