ICC WTC 2025 Final: India may have fallen short of a third straight appearance in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, but the Men in Blue still walk away with a handsome reward — USD 1.44 million (approximately ₹12.33 crore) — for finishing third in the 2023-25 WTC cycle.
Despite not reaching the grand finale at Lord’s, India’s performance across the two-year championship ensured a significant financial payout, nearly matching Australia’s USD 1.6 million reward for winning the WTC 2023 Final just a year ago. The amount reflects India’s strong presence in the format, although they narrowly missed out on the top two spots.
WTC 2025 Final: A Battle of Red-Ball Titans
All eyes are now on Lord’s Cricket Ground, where the much-anticipated final between South Africa and Australia will get underway on Wednesday. It’s a high-stakes contest not just for the coveted WTC Mace, but also for a massive winner’s prize of USD 3.6 million. The runner-up won’t go empty-handed either, with a handsome USD 2.1 million awaiting the losing side.
Australia: The Title Defenders
Led by Pat Cummins, the defending champions Australia are eyeing back-to-back WTC titles. Having beaten India at The Oval in the WTC 2023 Final, the Aussies are looking to etch their dominance in the red-ball format once more.
Australia’s road to the final wasn’t a cakewalk. They played 19 Tests, winning 13, losing 4, and finishing second on the WTC points table with a 67.54% points percentage. A significant highlight of their journey was retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, an achievement that helped seal their spot in the final.
South Africa: The History Hunters
On the other side, Temba Bavuma’s South Africa are chasing history. A win at Lord’s would not only give them their first ICC title in over two decades, but also mark their maiden World Test Championship triumph.
After a shaky start — winning just 1 of their first 5 Tests — the Proteas stormed back into contention with 7 unbeaten Tests, finishing with 8 wins and just 3 losses in 12 matches. Their stellar turnaround helped them top the WTC standings with a 69.44% points percentage.
South Africa’s consistent performances across conditions, backed by a sharp bowling attack and a rejuvenated batting lineup, have made them serious contenders for the mace.
India’s WTC Journey: Highs and Heartbreaks
For India, finishing third is both a consolation and a cause for reflection. While the USD 1.44 million reward is a testament to their sustained competitiveness, missing out on a third consecutive final is sure to sting.
Throughout the WTC 2023-25 cycle, India delivered strong home performances but faltered overseas — a trend that has continued to haunt their red-ball campaigns. Nevertheless, with talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and a re-energized pace unit coming through, India remains a strong contender for future Test glory.
As cricket’s longest format reaches another crescendo, fans across the world will be tuned in to Lord’s to witness the unfolding of a historic WTC Final. Will Australia cement their legacy with back-to-back titles, or will South Africa finally break their ICC title drought?
Regardless of the outcome, the World Test Championship has reignited global interest in Test cricket — and India, despite falling short this time, continues to be a central force in that revival.
