Keshav Maharaj's Emotional Victory as South Africa Claims Historic WTC Title

South Africa's Historic WTC Triumph

On June 14, South Africa's spinner Keshav Maharaj was overwhelmed with emotion as the Proteas celebrated their first ICC title in years, winning the World Test Championship (WTC) at Lord's. This victory marked a significant milestone for the team, as they secured their inaugural WTC title with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia.

Chasing a target of 282 runs, South Africa successfully completed the challenge in 83.5 overs. Key contributions came from Aiden Markram, who scored 136 runs, and captain Temba Bavuma, who added 66 runs, forming a crucial 147-run partnership that shifted the momentum from 70/2 to 217/3. David Bedingham (20*) and Kyle Verreynne (4*) played vital roles in sealing the win.

With just one run needed before the lunch break on Day 4, Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run, securing a historic victory for South Africa in the WTC Final. This triumph also marked the first ICC title for South Africa since 1998, when they won the Champions Trophy against West Indies.

Keshav Maharaj's Emotional Moment

As the team celebrated their first ICC title in 27 years, Keshav Maharaj was visibly moved, shedding tears during an interview with former Proteas captain Graeme Smith, who was part of the commentary team at Lord's. A video capturing this heartfelt moment quickly gained traction on social media, showing Smith embracing Maharaj as he reflected on the significance of their victory for both the team and the nation.

"This is very special. It’s a privilege to lift the cup and win this title for everyone here and back home. It’s a moment we’ve all been waiting for," Maharaj expressed.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Today, we lift the trophy that has eluded us for years. This is just the beginning of great things to come," he added.

A Long-Awaited ICC Victory

After 27 years, South Africa finally tasted success at an ICC tournament, overcoming the long-standing label of 'chokers' as they lifted the World Test Championship mace at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. The team had faced near misses in previous tournaments, including the 1999 and 2023 World Cup semifinals and the T20 World Cup 2024 final, but this WTC Final win allowed them to rewrite their history.

South Africa qualified for the final by finishing the WTC cycle as table toppers, achieving 8 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, resulting in a win percentage of 69.44 across 12 matches.