Calm and clarity in Proteas camp ahead of T20WC blockbuster

It's being billed as the biggest clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup so far. Huge stakes and a rematch of the 2024 decider.

India and South Africa are two of only three unbeaten teams, as they lock horns to commence their respective Super 8 campaigns.

The Proteas have the added motivation of avenging their loss to India in the 2024 decider. But based on veteran Quinton de Kock's insights, there is a feeling of widespread composure in the South Africa camp ahead of their nlockbuster clash.

"The team is quite settled," de Kock told media.

Shastri talks up India XI with ‘all bases covered’

"That has helped. We've been in Ahmedabad for quite a while. So we kind of used the environment. I've settled down quite nicely. But no headaches yet."

And the 33-year-old is feeling recharged, having lightened his cricketing schedule in the latter years of his career, which has him primed for this tournament.

"I'm happy to be back with my boys and playing for the Proteas for sure. The break away from international stages was good and to come back and be refreshed and to be back with the guys who I really love playing with and who I've always dreamed of playing with has been great for me. So, yeah, I love being back with the guys again."

South Africa played three of four group matches at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, the venue for their big clash with India. That experience also holds them in good stead.

"I think it does help quite a bit," de Kock continued.

"We've played a day game and a night game, yeah, so kind of understand the conditions. But I'm not saying I think it means too much because the Indian teams played here, through IPLs and a lot of them have played their whole career, so I don't think it plays that much of a difference at the end of the day.

"These wickets have been a bit more seamer friendly. The spin has kind of travelled a little bit."

Both Proteas openers have had their moments in innings at the venue already this tournament. De Kock scored a 59 against Afghanistan, while Aiden Markram slogged an unbeaten 86* off 44 balls against New Zealand.

De Kock revealed that 'clarity' is the secret ingredient for his teammate right now.

"I think that's it, just clarity in his role," he continued.

"I think maybe before he never used to open - bat three, four, five, had different situations all the time. So he always had to adapt, whereas I think opening ... is pretty much one thing you can just do. So I think it's also easier for him to deal with. So probably just the clarity that he's had at opening."

De Kock also shed some light on how the team dealt with the grief of losing the 2024 final.

"To be honest, after that day, we just forgot about it, in all honesty," he continued.

"I don't think any of us really wanted to speak about it.

"Everyone went home and kind of went through their own process how to deal with it. We didn't need to talk about it as a team. That's pretty much it. We never really spoke about it. I think from there, I haven't been around with the team since then, not much, so they probably have, but I've only just joined for the last couple of months. So as far as I know that's all that's happened."