Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting, renowned for his three-time World Cup victories with Australia and coaching experience in the Indian Premier League, will share his winning insights with the South African team ahead of their maiden T20 World Cup final against India. After a dominant semi-final performance against Afghanistan, South Africa faces the challenge of an unbeaten Indian side in their quest for a historic first ICC trophy in T20 cricket. Ponting’s guidance aims to bolster the Proteas’ preparation for the high-stakes match in Barbados on Saturday.
Ponting’s message is straightforward: he encourages the South African side not to shy away from the pressure. Instead, they should embrace the magnitude of the occasion and harness that energy to elevate their performance in the final.
“A lot of teams say, ‘It’s just another game,’ and they try to hide from the magnitude of the occasion, but that’s not helpful. It’s all about embracing it for what it is. These players haven’t been there before, so enjoy tonight, enjoy tomorrow. But ensure your preparation remains consistent,” Ponting said on the ICC’s show.
Also read: AB de Villiers Picks His Favourite in the T20 World Cup 2024 Final
“They are undefeated up to now, so they don’t need to change anything or try harder. They just need to turn up, be the best version of themselves and their team, and give themselves the best chance. If they do that, they will be hard to beat,” Ponting concluded.
Both India and South Africa share a common ambition: to end their respective ICC trophy droughts and possibly maintain their unbeaten streaks throughout the tournament. India’s last T20 World Cup victory dates back to 2007, and their most recent ICC title was the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. The Indian team is eager to finally clinch the coveted trophy and break their long wait for another major international title.