Proteas will stick to basics in table-topping clash with India, says De Kock

While they are gearing up for their biggest match thus far at the Cricket World Cup, in-form batter Quinton de Kock says South Africa are not allowing the magnitude of their fixture against India to place them under excessive pressure.

The Proteas will face the unbeaten hosts in Kolkata on Sunday, and though both sides will already be looking ahead to the semi-finals, the result of the match could be significant.

A victory for the SA team would not only give them another major confidence boost, but it should ensure they finish among the top two on the log, which would see them avoiding title favourites India in the semi-finals.

“Since the first game we have been focusing on ourselves and just trying to be the best Proteas team we can be,” De Kock said yesterday.

“Obviously we’ve got a big game on Sunday (tomorrow) so we’ll sit down and go through the usual processes we follow before every game from a strategic point of view, and we’ll look at the Indian team to see how we can beat them. But they are obviously a strong unit and it is a big game.”

By sticking to their basics, De Kock felt they would give themselves their best chance of handing India their first defeat of the tournament.

“We’re trying not to overthink things or reinvent the wheel,” he said.

“We’re just trying to do the simple things really well. I think that’s been one of the key things to us being quite successful.”

Still retiring

De Kock was displaying the form of his life, having scored 545 runs in seven innings at the World Cup (including four centuries). But his recent performances had done little to make him reconsider his decision to retire from ODI cricket after the tournament.

He admitted there was a slim chance, but the 30-year-old opener insisted he was unlikely to change his mind.

“I think I’m set on my decision and I think it’s the end of my 50-over career,” he said.

“There have been one or two words said to me that I should think about it but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“You never know. Strange things happen in life and there could be a possibility but I don’t think so.

“There are some good youngsters coming through and they will probably take my spot as soon as I leave.”

For now, however, De Kock was pleased to be able to play a senior role in the Proteas squad at his last 50-over World Cup, as they went in search of their first global title.

“It’s probably my last one so I’m just trying to give it my all and help everyone out where I can,” he said.

Sunday’s match between South Africa and India, being played at Eden Gardens, starts at 10.30am.