‘None of us wanted to speak about it’: Quinton de Kock breaks silence on 2024 T20 World Cup final defeat vs India

Speaking ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 opener vs India, Quinton de Kock opened up on his side's heartbreaking defeat in the 2024 final.

Published on: Feb 22, 2026, 07:13:08 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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India face South Africa in their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage opener in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The showdown will also be a rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, which India won. Speaking ahead of the Super 8 match, South African opener Quinton de Kock opened up on the 2024 final defeat and revealed that his team 'just forgot about it'.

South Africa's Quinton de Kock spoke about his side's 2024 T20 World Cup final defeat to India. (PTI)

In the final, South Africa were in a better position for the majority of the match, and in the run chase, needed only 30 runs off the final 30 balls. Heinrich Klaasen was batting and was dominating Indian bowlers, including slamming Axar Patel for 24 runs in a single over.

Also Read: India predicted XI vs South Africa: Flat Ahmedabad pitch prompts selection dilemma between Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh

But all-rounder Hardik Pandya came to India's rescue, removing Klaasen in the 17th over, and the South Africans crumbled in the final three overs.

‘None of us wanted to speak about it’: Quinton de Kock

"To be honest, after that game, we just forgot about it. In all honesty, none of us wanted to speak about it. We went home and went through our own processes about how to deal with it. That's pretty much it. We have never really spoken about it," he said.

When asked if South Africa are the best team to face India, or rather defeat them in the finals, De Kock said, “No, I don't think so. I think the nature of World Cups is that it doesn't allow favouritism at some point, because at any moment of time in a game, someone can win a game out of nowhere.”

"So that's the thing, it's quite a fickle game, especially T20 World Cups, because games can be changed in a matter of two to three overs by just one individual, so I wouldn't say anyone's really favourite because there's some really good teams going forward now. Maybe one or two guys are playing better cricket, but that doesn't mean they're going to win future games. That's just because of the fickleness of the T20 World Cups."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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