Proteas' George Linde hails ‘exceptional’ Aiden Markram as T20 World Cup looms large

Proteas spin-bowling all-rounder George Linde is excited about the squad's form going into the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.

Linde believes that the majority of the players who are in the squad got valuable time in the field during the four-week-long Betway SA20, a feat that the all-rounder believes will bode well for them in the showpiece event next month.

The squad is currently facing the West Indies in a three-match series. They beat the visiting side by nine wickets in the first match in Paarl earlier this week, and head into the second match in Centurion in good touch.

Linde understands that despite their good form, they are simply going to feel the pressure as soon as they arrive in India and that it will be key to keep a strong mentality.

"I think it goes down to mentally being strong. Obviously, there's going to be pressure on us. Just be yourself and don't try to impress. That's how I look at it, because I don't feel like I have to impress anyone," Linde said.

"I do it for myself, my family, for South Africa. I think that's how I look at it. There will always be pressure, but I try to take a deep breath and just look at what's ahead, what the conditions are telling me to do."

"I'm pretty sure all of them do the same. Also, the nice thing is that a lot of these guys in the squad, basically all of us, got a nice run last month. Everyone is sort of in form. That's really exciting for the World Cup."

Linde highlighted captain Aiden Markram's sparkling form, citing that it is good for the team that they have a leader leading from the front. Markram brought up an unbeaten 86 at Boland Park, helping the Proteas chase down 174 with over two overs to spare.

"It's really exciting to see him in form, and the way he hits the ball, the way he makes it look easy and stuff, and his shot selection and everything is just great to watch," said Linde.

"That was a hell of an innings (86 not out). I felt he should have got man of the match, and definitely not me. It's obviously very exciting for him to be the player he is, the leader he is, because he's an exceptional leader. We all follow him, and it's great."

The second T20 match is set to get underway at 6pm at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday, with the Proteas leading 1-0 in the series and the visitors looking to level the series heading into the third and final match of the series.