WTC Final 2025 LIVE: India vs Australia Score, Highlights, Playing XI & Streaming Details

Introduction The wait is over: the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) reaches its climax this week as defending champions Australia face a resurgent South Africa at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from 11 to 15 June 2025, with 16 June pencilled in as a reserve day. Why this final matters • The winner will lift the ICC Mace and bank US $1.6 million, while the runners-up receive US $800,000. • Australia aim to become the first side to retain the WTC crown; South Africa are chasing their maiden ICC world title in any format. • The clash revives a storied rivalry: the two teams share 54 Test victories each in their 101-match history. Match schedule & timings • Dates: Wednesday 11 June – Sunday 15 June 2025 • Reserve Day: Monday 16 June (if time lost) • First ball: 10:30 am BST | 3:00 pm IST | 7:30 pm AEST • Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood, London How to watch & stream live • India: Star Sports 1 & 1 HD; live stream on Disney+ Hotstar. • Australia: Fox Cricket & Kayo Sports. • South Africa: SuperSport Grandstand & Grandstand App. • UK & ROI: Sky Sports Cricket / Main Event; NOW TV. • Radio: BBC Test Match Special, SEN, ABC Grandstand. Likely playing XIs Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland/Josh Hazlewood, Todd Murphy. South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi. Key battles to watch 1. Cummins vs Elgar: Australia’s skipper targets the opener’s technique around off-stump. 2. Lyon vs Markram: classic spin-versus-aggression duel when the ball gets older. 3. Rabada & Nortje vs Smith & Head: raw pace against two contrasting styles in the middle order. Pitch & weather outlook Lord’s has produced true surfaces this English summer, offering early movement with the Dukes ball and gentle turn from day three. A mostly dry forecast shows brief showers on day two; the reserve day provides insurance. Form guide • Australia: L-W-D-W-W (last 5 WTC Tests). • South Africa: W-W-W-L-W. Momentum seems even, but Australia’s experience of last year’s Ashes at Lord’s could be decisive. Head-to-head at Lord’s Matches: 5 | Australia won: 3 | South Africa won: 1 | Drawn: 1. The Proteas’ lone victory came in 2012 when Hashim Amla hit 311*. What the captains said Pat Cummins: “Retaining the mace would underline our era in Test cricket.” Temba Bavuma: “We want to inspire a new generation back home; this is our shot at history.” FAQs Q. Is there a reserve day? A. Yes, 16 June will be used only if net playing time is lost. Q. What happens if the match is drawn or tied? A. The trophy will be shared, as per ICC playing conditions. Q. Can unused squad members be substituted? A. Only approved concussion or COVID-19 substitutes are permitted; tactical substitutions are not. Prediction With both attacks capable of 20 wickets on any surface, expect a result. Australia’s depth gives them a narrow edge, but South Africa’s seam trio can upset predictions if early inroads are made. Stay tuned For ball-by-ball updates, expert analysis and post-match reactions, bookmark this page and enable notifications—everything you need for the WTC Final is right here.