Aiden Markram says it took time for the Proteas to process their heartbreaking defeat to India in this year’s T20 World Cup final.

South Africa suffered a seven-run loss in Barbados having at one stage needed 30 runs from 30 balls with six wickets in hand.

It was the first time a Proteas team had reached a World Cup decider.

“You give it as much time as it needs,” said Markram ahead of the Proteas’ first T20I assignment since then, a three-match series against the West Indies which starts on Friday.

“It was a tough one to swallow at the time, and definitely from then up until now, it’s gotten a bit better to handle and process.

“Luckily, I was able to take some time personally for myself and get away from the game and cricket conversations that would spark a discussion about the World Cup final.

“It was nice to get away from that and reset. Each individual processes it their own way, and the most important thing is probably making sure you’re at peace with how it all ended so that you can move on.”

The Proteas’ 15-man squad for the West Indies series includes two uncapped players – 18-year-old Lions pace bowler Kwena Maphaka, who starred at the U19 World Cup earlier this year, and Dolphins all-rounder Jason Smith – while Warriors all-rounder Patrick Kruger has just one T20I cap, which came against the West Indies in May.

“For them, especially the newer guys, the whole tour is a bit of a learning curve and understanding the environment and getting a feel for international cricket and letting that be a steppingstone to hopefully becoming permanent fixtures in our team,” said Markram.