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• T20 World Cup final defeat 'hurts', but Markram proud of South Africa efforts

  South Africa are hurting after their T20 World Cup final defeat to India, but captain Aidan Markram said his team must be immensely proud of their efforts.

  The Proteas needed 30 runs from as many deliveries to clinch the title in Barbados on Saturday.

  Instead, the wickets tumbled as India won by seven runs to secure the crown for the first time since 2007.

  It was a case of so close, but so far for South Africa, who were playing in their first T20 World Cup semi-final.

  While the manner of the defeat stung, Markram refused to be too downbeat.

  "I think it'll take some time for us to have a really good reflection on a really good campaign that we've had," Markram said.

  "Obviously for the time being, it hurts quite a bit, but having said that, still incredibly proud of this group of players and everyone that's involved in this team.

  "A really good game of cricket, so on all fronts, really chuffed with the guys today. Not great to [not] get over the line, but incredibly proud of this group of people that we've got going here in our white-ball squad.

  "We got into a great position, which proves that we were worthy finalists and could have won the game today. Unfortunately didn't, but still incredibly proud of the group."

  India became only the third team to win the T20 World Cuo more than once, after West Indies (2012 and 2016) and England (2010 and 2022).

• India stars Kohli and Rohit retire from T20Is following World Cup triumph

  Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from T20Is on the back of leading India to glory against South Africa.

  Kohli, who had endured some indifferent form throughout the T20 World Cup, saved his best for last as he plundered 76 in India's seven-run win over the Proteas on Saturday.

  Kohli has played 125 T20Is and is India's second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 4,188 to his name. Only Rohit (4,231 runs in 159 matches) can boast a higher total.

  And the duo both confirmed after the match that they would be bowing out of the format.

  "This was my last T20 World Cup and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve," Kohli said.

  "This is an amazing game, I was telling Rohit today when we went out to bat that one day you feel like you can't get a run, and then you come out and things happen. God is great. I bow my head in gratitude.

  "I'm really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team when it mattered the most.

  "This is my last T20 game playing for India, my last World Cup I was going to play. I wanted to make the most of it. And this was our aim. We wanted to win an ICC tournament, we wanted to lift the cup. 

  "This was an open secret, it was not something that I was not going to announce if we'd lost. This was going to be my last T20 World Cup playing for India, it's time for the next generation to take over.

  "Two-year cycle, there are some amazing players playing in India, they're going to take the team forward in the T20 format, and do wonders as we've seen them do in the IPL. I've no doubts they'll keep the flag waving high, and really take this team further from here now."

  Rohit, who was part of the India squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2007, followed up Kohli's announcement with his own retirement confirmation.

  "This was my last [T20I] game as well," Rohit said.

  "No better time to say goodbye to this format. I've loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the cup.

  "I wanted this badly. Very hard to put in words. It was a very emotional moment for me. I was very desperate for this title in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line."

• Group stage results will not matter if England get it right, says Southgate

  Gareth Southgate believes "nobody will care about the group stage" if England enjoy a good run in the Euro 2024 knockout stages, starting with Slovakia on Sunday.

  Despite topping Group C, England came under fire for their below-par performances in the group stage after edging past Serbia in the opener before playing out draws with Denmark and Slovenia.

  First place in the group means the Three Lions avoided the side of the draw including a lot of the favourites, but even that has not raised morale among the fans.

  While Southgate accepted the criticism the team received, he was adamant that the real jeopardy of the tournament starts in the round of 16.

  "Reality is that nobody will care about the group stage if you get it right? That is the reality, and of course, we have to deliver it," Southgate said in his press conference.

  "The fact is you go into a different mental state. Everybody knows that knockout football is jeopardy. Everybody knows that, on a given day, an opponent can make it really tough for you. You know the quality of the opposition left is high and so it changes the mindset.

  "It is about 'how far can we go?' We are trying to achieve something exceptional. But it is a step at a time and tomorrow is a chance to improve aspects of our game, to show composure in moments.

  "The game will take us in different directions at different moments, and you've got to be able to respond and react in the right way in all of those moments."

  If England do beat Slovakia, they will set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland, who knocked out holders Italy with a 2-0 victory earlier on Saturday.

  Southgate said he was not thinking that far ahead, but that his side do not fear of what awaits them in the knockout rounds.

  "It could be another brilliant night to create more memories for our supporters," he added.

  "I have played in a semi-final of a major tournament, and managed in a semi-final and a final. Tomorrow, it's about the team progressing.

  "We shouldn't have a fear of losing, it's about opportunity. We are trying to reach for something which is a challenge.

  "We have lost matches before, life goes on. At that point, when you can handle the worst, you are free to try and go and win the game."