Aiden Markram says a lack of intensity at times cost the Proteas during their ODI series against India.

A second-string India team claimed a 78-run victory in Paarl on Thursday to win the series 2-1.

At the post-match press conference, Markram admitted that a draining World Cup campaign, which ended in a semi-final defeat to Australia, had played a part in their lacklustre performances at the Wanderers and Boland Park.

“It [the intensity] is obviously different to a World Cup. I suppose it’s human nature to that extent that you may be a bit ‘pap’ after the World Cup. There have been guys putting everything on the line.

“When you don’t achieve the goal you want to achieve and there’s a sense of pride over the way we performed there [in India]. It takes a lot out of you.

“It’s been fantastic to have and see those players put up their hand and say that they want to play. But potentially, a small percentage here and there from an intensity point of view, might have let us down.”

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However, Proteas coach Rob Walter denied that fatigue had been a factor, and that all of the players selected for the white-ball series had wanted to play.

“We had some really good conversations before the series started about guys who potentially would need a breather and guys focussing on getting ready for the Test matches.

“On one hand, we want to give opportunities over the system going forward, which we did.

“If a guy like Rassie van der Dussen is not playing T20 or Test cricket, and there are only eight games from now until the Champions Trophy, and we rest him. If that’s the case, he won’t play one-day cricket until July.

“So to miss out on these games is significant to some of these players and all of them wanted to play.”

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