🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: Final - M55: SA vs India @ 8:00 PM IST🏏 - Page 9

The Indian team has arrived at the ground. A few fans outside the fence with phones out recording. The South African players are in and training. Reeza Hendricks is around for a pre-match interview. Music's playing, and it's just as sunny still. 'Yet to see her myself but the word is that Rihanna is here...' informs Matt Roller.

'Shamsi is marking his run', informs Monga. 'I expect no change in either side'

The Kensington Oval will abuzz with excitement as a 29-day and 54-match competition culminates here today with the final. The loudest cheers, however, will ring some 14,000km in India as they eagerly await to see their heroes finally get their hands on the silverware. India have been in the final of an ICC event twice in the last 12 months and here they are once more to try and end that 11-year trophy drought. If 11-years feels like a long time, then you must only look across to the opposition - South Africa - who’ve been waiting for their trophy much longer, thrice as long in fact. While cricket might not be the number 1 sport of choice in South Africa, this team will carry the hopes of the entire South African cricketing fraternity. A win today will be celebrated not just by this team but by all those who've donned the Proteas jersey.

As cliche as it may sound, today's game as much a mental battle as it is a battle of skill. While playing in a World Cup final inevitably implies pressure, it'll be accentuated greatly by the weight of expectations on both teams. And the fact that both teams carry the label of 'chokers' to varying degrees won't make things any easier. As much as players speak about keeping the 'outside noise out' and about 'controlling the controllables', they'll be very aware of the implications and expectations. The real challenge then is to turn up and still be at your best, to still perform and remain unfazed knowing full well the disappointment that will follow if you don't.

9:20am: "Pitch is being rolled at the moment, says Matt. "Some blues shirts starting to filter into the stands"

09:00 Local Time, 13:00 GMT, 18:30 IST: The Kensington Oval will be abuzz with excitement as a 29-day and 54-match competition culminates here today with the final. The loudest cheers, however, will ring some 14,000km in India as they eagerly await to see their heroes finally get their hands on the silverware. India have been in the final of an ICC event twice in the last 12 months and here they are once more to try and end that 11-year trophy drought. If 11-years feels like a long time, then you must only look across to the opposition - South Africa - whove been waiting for their trophy much longer, thrice as long in fact. While cricket might not be the number 1 sport of choice in South Africa, this team will carry the hopes of the entire South African cricketing fraternity. A win today will be celebrated not just by this team but by all those who've donned the Proteas jersey.

Originally posted by: samarp2

Yaa keeping hopes high also is risky like last WC

IND winning chances are there and still didn't want to underestimate any team

We never know wats going yo happen

As cliche as it may sound, today's game as much a mental battle as it is a battle of skill. While playing in a World Cup final inevitably implies pressure, it'll be accentuated greatly by the weight of expectations on both teams. And the fact that both teams carry the label of 'chokers' to varying degrees won't make things any easier. As much as players speak about keeping the 'outside noise out' and about 'controlling the controllables', they'll be very aware of the implications and expectations. The real challenge then is to turn up and still be at your best, to still perform and remain unfazed knowing full well the disappointment that will follow if you don't. Succumbing to the pressure and facing heartbreak in World Cup knockouts isn't new for both these sides but that won't make digesting another one any easier - in fact, it'll only make it harder.

Originally posted by: DiamondLife

Thank you for the tag

Can you please give the prediction game link??

I am not finding

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https://x.com/infornexmedia/status/1807041838609825864?s=46

Word Count: 1