Aiden Markram fires warning to team India, Australia, and England ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

South Africa captain Aiden Markram is confident that he might as well become the first-ever South African captain to win a major ICC silverware.

The Proteas will be in action later tonight at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in what is going to be their first time in the USA. Aiden Markram's side will take on 2014 Champions Sri Lanka at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. If Markram is to help his nation lift the T20 WC for the first time, then they must start off the tournament with a win and crucial 2 points.

In the previous T20 World Cup edition in Australia, South Africa were knocked out from the Group stages when they were under Temba Bavuma's captaincy. They first picked up back-to-back victories over Bangladesh and India after their tie against Zimbabwe was abandoned. But in their final two group matches, the Africans were taken down by Pakistan and the Netherlands.

What did Aiden Markram say?

While speaking to reporters at the venue in New York on the eve of SL Vs SA in T20 WC 2024, Aiden Markram shed light on South Africa's strategies. To start off with, Markram highlighted the importance of being able to assess the situation of the pitch on the gameday and then being able to efficient enough to adapt with a snap.

Aiden Markram was probably every player in the World Cup who never thought of playing in New York and claimed the edition in the USA would be exciting.

"On the day we will have to assess really quickly and then adapt plans that will help us do well. It is an exciting day; we didn't think we would ever be playing a World Cup game in New York." - Markram told reporters in New York.

In contrary to the Indian team's views on the training facilities provided in the USA, Markram was more than satisfied with the facility and called it beautiful. "It's a beautiful training facility and we will get a first look at the stadium and the pitch later to assess things." - Markram added.

Aiden Markram also spoke about the challenge they will face during the World Cup as they will have to play day and afternoon games in the group stage. But difficult situations are known to make players better and that's why the players are making sure to wake up early and follow a routine throughout the World Cup.

"We are used to mostly playing in the evenings, but we have had a routine since we got here to wake up early and do things together as a team early in the mornings. By now, we are used to it."

Markam says he's confident about South Africa's title-winning prospects

Aiden Markram then expressed his confidence about being able to lift the T20 World Cup at last in this edition. He admitted that the core unit knows that if they get into their best form, then no team will be able to beat them and for that, they have put a lot of focus on themselves.

"I am feeling quietly confident. We feel if we find our form and play to the best of our ability, we can beat anyone. We have put a lot of focus on ourselves and we will see where it gets us. But we are certainly here to lift the trophy." - Aiden Markram concluded.