Ahmedabad, Feb 21 (NationPress) South Africa's wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock emphasized that managing pressure and seizing crucial moments will be pivotal as his team prepares to challenge India in a high-stakes Super Eights match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Both teams remain unbeaten, each boasting four victories in their respective groups, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2024 final, where India triumphed, ending a lengthy trophy drought. Aiden Markram led South Africa during their recent tour of India, where they faced a 3-1 defeat in a five-match T20I series, along with a loss in a warm-up game earlier this month.

“What makes tomorrow's game exciting is that we've faced each other frequently over the past couple of months. Honestly, neither team has undergone significant changes. Thus, it ultimately comes down to who can handle pressure better and secure the critical moments—not just against India,” de Kock stated at the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

South Africa has competed in three Group D matches in Ahmedabad, experiencing various times of play. This familiarity with the conditions could be advantageous as they take on the defending champions India.

“This familiarity helps significantly. We’ve experienced both day and night games, so we have a grasp of the conditions. However, it’s worth noting that the Indian team has played here extensively throughout their careers, so it may not be as significant in the grand scheme,” de Kock added.

Despite India's left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma struggling with three consecutive ducks, de Kock believes he will eventually deliver a strong performance in the tournament.

“He currently holds the title of the number one T20 batsman in the world, so he should continue with his approach. Being young, he is bound to encounter some failures. But his ranking indicates his potential, and I am confident he will play a crucial inning soon,” he remarked.

When questioned about the possibility of opening the bowling with an off-spinner, like skipper Markram or Tristan Stubbs, as other teams have done, de Kock responded, “It entirely hinges on the wicket's behavior. If the pitch isn’t conducive to spin, it’s certainly easier to face. However, we’ve found that the tracks in Ahmedabad have been more favorable to seamers.”

“The spin has tended to travel a bit, so it all comes down to the conditions. It’s always more challenging for left-handed batsmen facing a right-arm off-spinner if there’s spin. So, as I said, it’s all about adapting to the conditions and what we encounter,” de Kock concluded.