It's just a matter of being out there who falls under the pressure first: Quinton de Kock

South African keeper-batter Quinton de Kock has stated that it’s all about handling the pressure and winning the small moments of the game when his side takes on the defending champions, India, in the Super8 clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22.

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Notably, both these sides are entering the Super8 round after staying unbeaten in their respective groups. India and South Africa recently clashed against each other in a five-match T20I series in December 2025, with India coming out on top by 3-1.

"What's going to make for quite a good game is that we've played against each other quite a bit over the last two months. To be honest, the teams haven't really changed much. So I think it's more when you're out there on the pressure side, who deals with the pressure better and wins the small moments in the game, and not even just playing against India,” Quinton de Kock said in the pre-match press conference.

"In the IPL, we're always playing against each other a lot. Everyone knows each other, how everyone plays, and how everyone thinks. So I think it's just a matter of being out there who falls under the pressure first," he added.

It’s important to note that South Africa played three Group D matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which makes the venue a familiar territory for the visitors, as they are well aware of the conditions by now.

"I think it does help quite a bit. We've played a day game and a night game, so we kind of understand the conditions. But I don't think it means too much because the Indian team's played here and a lot of them have played here their whole careers. I don't think it plays that much of a difference at the end of the day," the opening batter concluded.

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