'We can beat anyone': Aiden Markram brims with adrenaline as T20 World Cup opener vs Sri Lanka looms

The T20 fever has gripped a lot of countries as they represent themselves with some of their top-tier talent in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. With the spectacle taking place in the US and West Indies, it has attracted a lot of attention as the teams continue with their campaign. One of the teams that will look to enter the competition and wreak havoc is the South Africa team, as the side aims to finally get their hands over a title and place it in their dusty old cabinet. As the Proteas begin their campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, skipper Aiden Markram is positive and confident that his side will finally end their hapless run in the ICC tournaments.

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Aiden Markram drips with positivity, says needs to adapt for day games in T20 World Cup 2024

South Africa has been a potent force in the ICC tournaments, but their luck hasn't allowed them to win any title to date. Be it in the 50-over format or the 20-over, they haven't found much luck in the tournaments. But the Proteas skipper, Aiden Markram, believes that his side can go against any of the teams in the tournament.

"I am feeling quietly confident. There are really good teams here but 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," said the South Africa skipper.

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This year, as the Proteas play in the US in their first-ever World Cup match at the newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Markram sees the need to adapt to their strategy, since their matches are in the daytime, which is unusual for a T20 match-up.

"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. It's a beautiful training facility and we will get a first look at the stadium and the pitch later to assess things. 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," Markram said to the reporters.

In the Group D opener at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the Proteas will be poised to clash against Sri Lanka. The game is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST.