Departure from England

• Gambhir departed England on Wednesday evening after receiving the news.
• He was originally overseeing intra-squad warm-up matches at Beckenham, intended to fine-tune preparations for the India-England Test series starting June 20 in Leeds.

Team Management Update

In his absence:

• Ryan ten Doeschate (Batting Coach) is leading operations.
• Sitanshu Kotak and Morne Morkel are supporting him in coaching responsibilities.
• BCCI sources confirmed Gambhir’s situation and expressed solidarity, stating they hope he rejoins the team ahead of the Leeds Test, pending his mother’s recovery.

🇮🇳 India’s Test Campaign Ahead

India’s squad is a youthful unit under the leadership of Shubman Gill, and Gambhir’s return was highly anticipated for strategic inputs.

Despite his absence, the coaching bench is focused on:

• Player acclimatization to English conditions
• Finalizing bowling combinations

Match Overview

The ICC World Test Championship Final is underway at Lord’s from June 11–15, 2025, pitting defending champions Australia against South Africa—the latter making their debut in the final

South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Australia were bowled out for a modest 212 runs on Day 1. As stumps fell, South Africa stood at 43/4, trailing by 169 runs

Standout Performances 🎯

• Kagiso Rabada starred for South Africa with a fiery 5 for 51, including dismissals of Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. This effort surpasses Allan Donald to make him the nation’s fourth‑highest Test wicket‑taker
• Marco Jansen supported admirably with 3/49, helping to reduce Australia to 67/4 by lunch
• For Australia, Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) staged a mid-innings fightback, but the tail collapsed
• In return, Mitchell Starc led Australia’s late-session response, claiming two quick wickets and later becoming the leading wicket-taker in ICC tournament finals with 11 career wickets

Session-by-Session Breakdown

☀️ Morning

SA pacers exploited overcast conditions. Rabada struck early (2/9 in six maiden overs), supported by Jansen—Australia stumbled to 67/4 by lunch

🕰️ Afternoon

Smith and Webster counterattacked effectively, steering Australia to 190/5 by tea

🌙 Evening

South Africa reclaimed control: Rabada and Jansen cleaned up the tail. In SA’s reply, Australia’s pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood uprooted the top order, leaving SA at 43/4 by stumps

Pitch & Conditions

Conditions favored seamers early at Lord’s: the green surface and cloud cover swung test pacers into action—ideal for fast bowling Historically, pacers dominate day one here, winning 22 wickets at an average of ~26 since 2022

What Lies Ahead

• South Africa must rebuild from 43/4, using the lower order to limit the deficit.
• Australia will look to extend the lead in the second innings.
• Spinners like Keshav Maharaj and Nathan Lyon could play key roles if pitch wears.
• Expect more atmospheric swings—weather and the Lord’s slope may heavily influence sessions.

WTC Final 2025: Legends Predict Winner, Pressure Mounts on One Team

The stage is set for the final match of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025, as Australia and South Africa face off at Lord’s, the historic ground often referred to as the “Mecca of Cricket.” This high-stakes battle marks Australia’s second WTC final appearance, while South Africa is playing in their first.

Australia vs South Africa: Clash of Titans

Australia enters the final as clear favourites, with many cricket legends backing them for the win. The team is already the reigning ODI and Test World Champion, and their current form reinforces their dominance. Led by Pat Cummins, who has an unbeaten record in ICC finals, the Aussies boast a formidable lineup with match-winners like David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Cummins himself.

But South Africa is not a team to be taken lightly. Under Temba Bavuma’s captaincy, the Proteas have won seven consecutive Test matches and remain undefeated in this period. With fiery pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and Bavuma in prime form, they could pull off a surprise.

Cricket Legends Weigh In

Several cricketing greats have shared their predictions:

• Michael Clarke: Backed Australia, citing their depth and bowling strength.
• Mark Boucher & Aaron Finch: Also picked Australia as favourites due to experience and form.
• Shaun Pollock: Warned against underestimating South Africa.
• Allan Donald: Highlighted Australia’s balance in both batting and bowling.

These predictions have added pressure on South Africa, while bolstering confidence in the Australian camp.

A Match to Watch

The final promises to be thrilling and competitive. Both teams are in excellent form, and while the spotlight is on Australia, South Africa has the momentum and hunger of a team chasing history.

Who Will Win?

With history, form, and experience on Australia’s side, they look set to dominate. However, South Africa’s fearless cricket and unbeaten run under Bavuma could make this a nail-biting finish. One thing is certain — cricket fans around the world are in for a spectacle.