Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting predicted Australia as "slight favourites" over India to win the ICC World Test Championship final 2023 against India, which will start from June 7 onwards at The Oval. In an event ahead of the WTC final between India and Australia at The Oval, Ponting said that his side is a slight favourite to win the title clash. He said that conditions at The Oval are more suited to Australia as compared to India. The Aussie great also said that the lack of cricket played by Australia in recent times and the heavy dosage of competitive cricket in IPL 2023 to Indian players could also decide the match's outcome.
Ricky Ponting predicted the winner of the WTC Final 2023
"Australia are slight favourites. The conditions are more suited to Australia as compared to India. These two teams have beaten more opposition than they have lost. They deserved to finish first and second. Australia has not cricket as of late. On the other side, almost all Indian players have played extremely competitive cricket in IPL. One side comes into this match as fresh, while the other side is tired. A lot of such factors would affect the match," said Ponting.
The Aussie great feels that there is a possibility that Michael Neser will be not in the playing XI for the WTC Final. Pacer Scott Boland could be the one who will take the place of Hazlewood in the playing eleven.
"Neser has been playing well in County cricket as of late. Boland's records are unbelievable. In Australia, when there was nothing on the surface at all to help bowlers, Boland was our best bowler. I think he will take Hazlewood's place."
Neser has been in good form as he bagged 19 wickets in England's Country Championship for Glamorgan. He had also scored a century against Sussex. In seven matches for Australia in WTC 2021-23, Boland has taken 28 wickets at an average of 13.42 and an economy rate of 2.18. His best bowling figures are 6/7.
Ricky Ponting opened up about the greatness of Sachin Tendulkar
"When I was coming through that time Sachin was the leader of the pack. Jacques Kallis was great too," said Ponting.
Both Ponting and Sachin are all-time great batters. In 664 matches, Sachin has scored 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52, with 100 centuries and 164 fifties, and the best score of 248*. Ponting on the other hand sits below the Indian in third place with 27,483 runs at an average of 45.95 in 560 matches, with 71 centuries, 146 fifties, and the best score of 257.
Ponting said that the rivalry between India and Australia is "one of the great rivalries" in the sport.
India and Australia have faced off in 106 Tests. India has won 32 matches while Australia has got 44 wins. 29 matches have ended in a draw and one in a tie. After India's two-Test series wins in Australia over the last few years and their domination at home against the Aussies, the record has improved a lot. Out of 16 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia since 1996-97, India has won 10 series, while Australia has won five, with one ending in a draw.
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, and Suryakumar Yadav
Australia squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Till now, 11 Indian cricketers have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Former Indian captain and legend MS Dhoni became the latest Indian to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame list.
Along with MS Dhoni, Aussie great Matthew Hayden, South African legend Hashim Amla, former South African captain Graeme Smith, former Kiwi leader Daniel Vettori, and former Pakistan captain Sana Mir and English legend Sarah Taylor were also inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame 2025.
WTC 2023-25 Final: Australia vs South Africa match preview: Head-to-head stats, Possible XI, match prediction, streaming details
The third WTC final pits the defending champions Aussies against a determined Proteas at the Iconic Lord's. Here's everything you need to know before the WTC 2023-25 final clash of Australia vs South Africa, with head-to-head stats and more!
After two years of intense battles, captivating storylines, and relentless Test cricket, the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Final is here! At the iconic Lord's, two formidable nations, Australia and South Africa, are set to face each other for the ultimate battle on June 11, 2025.
The Australian side will play their second WTC final, aiming to defend their hard-won title. On the other hand, the South African side is determined to shred the tag of "chokers" and hungry to claim their maiden WTC title.
This marks the first time both the teams are facing each other in an ICC tournament final. Their knockout encounters include the infamous tied 1999 World Cup semi-final, and the 2023 World Cup semi-final, and Australia won both the times.
Here's everything you need to know before the WTC 2023-25 final clash of Australia vs South Africa, with head-to-head stats and more!
Match Details
Match: Australia vs South Africa
Tournament: ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, Final
Date: 11 - 15 June, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Lord's Cricket Ground, England
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Richard Illingworth, Nitin Menon (Reserve)
Star Sports Network has the broadcasting rights of AUS vs SA WTC Final 2023-25. The match will be telecast live in India on TV channels of Star Sports Network.
Fans can watch the live streaming of AUS vs SA WTC Final 2023-25 online on the JioHotstar app and website.
Australia vs South Africa: Head-to-head stats in Tests
Team
Matches Played
Won
Lost
Draws
Australia
101
54
26
21
South Africa
101
26
54
21
Head-to-head Record (last 5 matches)
AUS: 2 wins
SA: 2 wins
Draws: 1
Australia and South Africa's road to final in WTC 2023-25
The Lord's pitch for the WTC Final is expected to offer a balanced but challenging surface. Fast bowlers are likely to find significant seam movement and swing in the early stages, especially with the new Duke's ball.
As the match progresses, particularly from Day 3, the pitch us expected to flatten out. This will make batting easier, though reverse swing for pacers and some turn for spinners might emergency.
English weather remains a significant factor. The captain winning the toss will likely elect to bowl first.
Overall, expect a pitch that provides a good contrast between bat and ball throughout the five days.
Australia vs South Africa: Possible Lineups
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada.
Can South Africa escape the "chokers" tag in the WTC Final against Australia?
The historical failures of Proteas, especially in knockouts is deeply ingrained in the cricketing world, making it a significant topic of discussion. Can South Africa escape the "chokers" tag in the WTC Final against Australia? Analyse the facts.
The World Test Championship 2023-25 Final isn't just another game for the Proteas; it is an opportunity for them to get rid of the "chokers" label that the team has long carried from past failures in big tournaments.
Can South Africa escape the "chokers" tag in the WTC Final against Australia? Let's check out the odds and what the numbers say about their fight for redemption.
The weight of the tag: Why "chokers"?
South African players after their defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Image | ESPNcricinfo
South Africa carries a unique burden of the "chokers" tag, which is not merely a casual insult, but a deep-seated reputation earned through a series of painful failures. Despite having world-class talent and often dominating in the group stages, they have a history of stumbling when the stakes are highest.
Here's some of the most significant losses in crucial stages, which originated the "chokers" tag:
1. 1992 World Cup Semi-final vs. England
South Africa, needing 22 runs off 13 balls, faced a controversial rain rule that dramatically revised their target to an impossible 22 runs off just one ball.
While not a "choke" in the traditional sense, but this marked their first major semi-final heartbreak.
2. 1999 World Cup Semi-final vs. Australia
South Africa needed just 1 run to win off 4 balls, while their explosive batsman Lance Klusener was on strike. However, a horrible mix-up led to the run-out of Allan Donald and the match ended in a tie.
Australia made it to the finals eventually for having better net run rate.
3. 2003 World Cup group stage exit vs. Sri Lanka
SA miscalculated the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) target which led to their elimination from the tournament. Mark Boucher, believing they have reached the par score to win, blocked the last ball of an over, after which heavy rain stopped the game.
They were, in fact, just 1 run short of the D/L par score, resulting in a tie as well as their elimination.
They collapsed from 108/2 while chasing 222 runs and lost 8 wickets for 64 runs in a shocking defeat. They were bowled out for 172 runs.
5. 2015 World Cup Semi-final vs. New Zealand
Dropped crucial catches while defending in the second half and was was unable to play under pressure in the final overs. Everything let to a dramatic last-ball loss.
6. 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage vs. Netherlands
South Africa needed a win to secure a semi-final spot in the tournament. Despite being strong favourites, they failed to chase a decent target, suffering a 13-run defeat.
7. 2023 World Cup Semi-final vs. Australia
South Africa found themselves in a familiar pattern of faltering under pressure while defending 212 runs. Despite great efforts, they could not make it and lost by 3 wickets.
8. 2024 T20 World Cup Final vs. India
While they did reach the finals after breaking their semi-final curse, they ultimately lost to India by 7 runs. Despite being in a good position at one stage, they could not maintain the required run rate in the final overs due to right bowling from Indian bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
As a former South African wicket-keeper batsman and head coach, Mark Boucher understands the immense pressure associated with their cricket history. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, he provided an insight about the mindset and the game.
Here's what he said:
"We're playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can't win] but I think it's a different feel in Test match cricket. It's played over a longer period of time and you've just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy. You're not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving on these youngsters coming through? No, it's almost like they're carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them but they're the ones in control of their futures at the moment."
He also added: "If we win it, I think then that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country."
WTC 2023-25 Final: What this win would mean for South Africa
For South Africa, winning the WTC final would be breaking free of the "chokers" tag that has haunted them for decades. This win would also live upto the nation's expectations, inspire future generations, and earn them global respect as true champions.
India's 2011 World Cup winning squad: Where are they now?
From playing careers to coaching, commentary, and other ventures, where are the 2011 WC winning heroes? Explore the present status of India's 2011 World Cup winning squad and where are they now, 14 years after historic victory.
It's been 14 years since India lifted the 2011 World Cup, a moment etched in every fan's memory. That legendary squad brought joy to millions on that unforgettable night in Mumbai, but where are they now?
While many retired, some explored new paths in cricket, and others found different callings, one key player continues to represent India in ODIs.
Explore the current status of India's 2011 World Cup winning squad and know their journeys since the victory and where are they now.
The unforgettable 2011 World Cup Winning squad
India's 2011 World Cup winning squad members. Image | sportzpoint.com
Here's the overview of squad members:
MS Dhoni (C & WK), Virender Sehwag (VC), Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin.
Coach: Gary Kirsten
Find out the updates on each one of them below:
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni with the World Cup in 2011. Image | SportsCafe
MS Dhoni is the winning captain of 2011 World Cup, who finished off in style with a six to seal the victory for India. He also led India to victory in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, becoming the first captain to claim all ICC limited-overs trophies.
He continued to captain India for several years and played a crucial role as a finisher in white-ball cricket. He also led CSK to win four IPL titles from 2011-2023.
Retirement: Dhoni retired from test cricket in December 2014, and announced his retirement from international cricket (ODIs and T20Is) on August 15, 2020. However, he continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Currently doing: Continues to captain Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He is involved in various business ventures and endorsements.
Virender Sehwag with the World Cup in 2011. Image | TOI
Virender Sehwag was the vice-captain of India's 2011 WC-winning squad and provided explosive starts at the top of the order, including a stunning knock of 175 runs against Bangladesh in the opening match.
He continued his attacking batting in Test and ODI formats for a few more years.
Retirement: Sehwag retired from all forms of international cricket in October 2015.
Currently doing: He is a prominent cricket analyst and commentator, and a member of the Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of the National Anti-Doping Agency under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. He also runs the Sehwag International School in Haryana and has ventured into the sports gear and organic farming business.
3. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir in World Cup final against Sri Lanka in 2011. Image | Facebook
Gautam Gambhir was an integral part of India's success in the 2011 WC, especially with his knock of 97 runs in the final. He continued to play a key role in India's top order for a period. He also led Kolkata Knight Riders to 2 IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
Later, he served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants and then KKR, guiding them to their third title in 2024.
Retirement: Announced retirement from all formats in December 2018.
Currently doing: In July 2024, Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of India for three years until the 2027 ODI World Cup. He got his first major ICC title in a coaching role by leading India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy as the head coach.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar after the World Cup win in 2011. Image | DNA India
Sachin Tendulkar was the leading run-scorer for India and the second overall in the tournament (482 runs in 9 innings), including two centuries.
He scored his record-setting 100th international century in March 2012 and became a member of the Rajya Sabha in the same year. Additionally, he was a part of Mumbai Indians team that won the IPL in 2013.
Retirement: Retired from ODI cricket in December 2012, and from tests in November 2013. He also retired from the IPL in 2013.
Currently doing: Sachin continues to be involved in cricketing and social initiatives, and remains a global ambassador for the sport.
Yuvraj Singh after the World Cup win in 2011. Image | India Today
The "Player of the tournament," Yuvraj Singh, delivered an exceptional all-rounder performance throughout the World Cup. He successfully battled germ-cell cancer in 2011 and returned to cricket the next year (2012).
Yuvraj continued to play white ball cricket for India occasionally and played in various IPL teams, winning twice with SRH in 2016 and MI in 2019.
Retirement: Formally retired from international cricket in June 2019.
Currently doing: He is involved in various cricketing leagues and charitable initiatives. He also mentored India's emerging star, Abhishek Sharma, and has a significant role in shaping his career.
6. Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina in action for India in 2011 World Cup. Image | Instagram
Suresh Raina played an attacking role in the lower middle order, particularly in the quarter-final against Australia (unbeaten 34), and the semi-final against Pakistan (unbeaten 36).
He continued to be a significant part of India's white-ball setup for several years and was a key player for CSK in the IPL.
Retirement: Announced retirement from all forms on August 15, 2020, on the same day as Dhoni. However, he continued to play domestic cricket and in various T20 leagues for a period.
Currently doing: Raina has been involved in commentary and various cricket-related activities.
7. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli after the 2011 World Cup win. Image | AI Jazeera
As the youngest batsman in the squad (22 years 95 days), Virat Kohli showed glimpses of his future greatness by performing well in the 2011 World Cup, including a century against Bangladesh.
Kohli rose to be one of the world's premier batsmen and captained India across all formats. He became the most successful test captain in history for India. He led India to numerous victories and broke several batting records.
He is the only player from India's 2011 World Cup-winning squad who is still actively playing international cricket (ODI format).
Retirement: He retired from T20Is after India won the T20 World Cup in 2024, and also retired from Test Cricket in 2025.
Currently doing: He won the IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 and had a phenomenal season. He is also expected to play in the 2027 World Cup.
Yusuf Pathan with the WC trophy in 2011. Image | Twitter
Yusuf Pathan was a part of India's World Cup-winning squad in 2011 and played as a batting all-rounder, primarily in the lower middle order. He continued to play in domestic cricket and the IPL, playing for various franchises, including KKR and SRH.
Pathan was also a part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad.
Retirement: Retired from all formats in February 2021.
Currently doing: He became a member of parliament from the Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency of West Bengal, and has been seen participating in the Legends League Cricket.
9. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan holding the WC trophy in the final in 2011. Image | Getty Images
The shepherd of India's pace attack, Zaheer Khan, was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup with 21 wickets in 9 matches. His contributions to the bowling unit were phenomenal.
He continued to represent India in internationals for a few more years.
Retirement: Khan retired from international cricket in October 2015.
Currently doing: He has been involved in commentary and coaching roles. He is also a cricket expert and analyst.
10. Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh celebrating the 2011 World Cup Win. Image | Sportstar
Harbhajan Singh proved to be crucial for the team in the WC 2011, with the kind of experience he had in the game. He continued to play for India occasionally after the World Cup, but his international appearances became less frequent.
He continued to play IPL for franchises like MI, CSK and KKR.
Retirement: Retired from all formats in December 2021.
Currently doing: He is a cricket commentator and an analyst. He has also ventured into politics, serving as a member of parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
Ashish Nehra in 2011 World Cup. Image | TV9 Bharatvarsh
Ashish Nehra played three matches in the 2011 World Cup and was particularly effective in the semi-final against Pakistan, where he took 2 wickets for 33 runs.
He faced injuries but made a remarkable comeback to the Indian T20I team and played the T20 World Cup that year.
Retirement: Nehra retired from all forms of international cricket in November 2017.
Currently doing: He has been involved in coaching in the IPL (head coach: Gujarat Titans) and won the 2022 season.
12. Munaf Patel
Munaf Patel in 2011 World Cup. Image | IBTimes India
Munaf Patel played a significant role as a consistent medium-pacer in the 2011 WC winning squad, picking 11 wickets in 8 matches. He continued to play domestic cricket and in various T20 leagues after the World Cup.
Retirement: He retired from all formats in December 2018.
Currently doing: Served as the bowling coach for Delhi Capitals since the 2024 season and has been seen participating in Legends League Cricket.
13. S Sreesanth
Sreesanth in 2011 World Cup. Image | Circle of Cricket
S Sreesanth came in as a replacement for Praveen Kumar (ruled out due to injury) in India's 2011 WC squad. He played 2 matches, including the final.
His career was significantly impacted by a spot-fixing scandal in the 2013 IPL, which led to a ban from cricket.
Retirement: He made a comeback in domestic cricket after the ban was reduced, and retired from all domestic forms in March 2022.
Currently doing: Sreesanth is the co-owner of the Kollam Aeries team in the Kerala Cricket League. He also participated in reality shows like Big Boss and was involved in acting and other ventures.
14. Piyush Chawla
Piyush Chawla in 2011 World Cup. Image | Instagram
The youngest player in India's 2011 World Cup winning squad, Piyush Chawla (22 yrs 46 days), picked 4 wickets in the three matches he played. He continued to play domestic cricket and IPL for various franchises and won.
Retirement: Chawla announced from all forms of cricket in June 2025. His last international appearance for India was in 2012.
Currently doing: He has been associated with the sport as an analyst and was seen giving inputs in per-match shows in IPL and other leagues.
Ravichandran Ashwin in 2011 World Cup. Image | The SportsRush
The spin master, Ravichandran Ashwin, played only 2 matches in the tournament, picking up 4 wickets. He turned out to be one of the most successful Test bowlers for India, with 537 Test wickets.
Ashwin later developed into a useful all-rounder and could bat well. He was also named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2016.
Retirement: Announced retirement from international cricket in December 2024.
Currently doing: He is actively involved in playing cricket in IPL and played in the TNPL as well. Ashwin is also an active YouTuber, who analyses and shares cricketing stories on his channel, which currently has 1.71M subscribers.
Who holds the record for the most runs in an over in tests? Prepare to be shocked as it's none other than India's pace sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, with a 35-run blitz! Join us to explore this historic feat and others who follow.
In test cricket, we often expect batters to dominate the scoring. But what if the biggest surprise came from a bowler? We're talking about the incredible feat of Jasprit Bumrah, who broke all the previous records for most runs in an over in tests.
Dive into this list of players who shaped this record for most runs in an over in tests.
1. Jasprit Bumrah (35 runs) | India
Jasprit Bumrah representing India in tests. Image | Mint
The over: 4, WD, 4, NB, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1
Opposition: England
The current undisputed king of the "most runs in an over" record in test cricket is Jasprit Bumrah. He came out as an unlikely record-breaker and stunned everyone.
In July 2022, facing Stuart Board in England, Bumrah, who was captaining the side, smashed 35 runs in a single over.
The over included fours, a massive six off a no-ball, a wide, and even boundary off a bye, totalling 35 runs. Of these, 29 runs came off his bat directly.
Brian Lara representing West Indies in tests. Image | TOI
The over: 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4
Opposition: South Africa
The West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara, was the first to achieve this milestone of scoring 28 runs in a single over, which is the second-highest score.
In December 2003, facing South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, he showcased his destructive power with a combination of fours and sixes.
Lara's ability to dominate even the best bowlers was a hallmark of his career.
3. George Bailey (28 runs) | Australia
George Bailey representing Australia in tests. Image | TOI
The over: 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6
Opposition: England
A decade later, in December 2013, Australia's George Bailey equaled Lara's record during an Ashes Test against England in Perth.
Bailey hit 3 sixes and 2 boundaries, along with a quick two runs, to score 28 runs in an over facing England's pacer, James Anderson.
Keshav Maharaj representing South Africa in tests. Image | Facebook
The over: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, b4
Opposition: England
Adding to the list is another surprising knock of South Africa's left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who joined the list for most runs in an over in tests by scoring 28 runs off an over.
In January 2020, he took on England captain and part-time spinner Joe Root, in a match played in Port Elizabeth.
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