Sanjay Bangar Warns South Africa and Australia Not to Underestimate WTC Final

Expert Insights on the World Test Championship Final

New Delhi [India] - Former Indian cricket coach and player Sanjay Bangar has expressed that both South Africa and Australia should not underestimate the upcoming World Test Championship final, despite their strong historical performances at Lord's. According to Bangar, the key to winning the prestigious mace lies in delivering their "best cricket" on the day of the match.

Since 1991, South Africa has only faced defeat once at the iconic venue, achieving five victories and one draw, showcasing an impressive success rate. On the other hand, Australia, the reigning champions, have secured 18 wins out of 40 matches, giving them a solid understanding of the playing conditions.

However, Bangar remains skeptical about the advantage that either team might have based on past records as they prepare for the Ultimate Test, set to commence on Wednesday. He stated, "I don’t rely on statistics or historical outcomes. The current squad features a new generation of players, and while past legends like Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have made their mark, today's players must focus on their performance to succeed. In sports, history doesn’t guarantee results," he remarked during a media conference ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.

He emphasized the importance of individual performances, saying, "To maximize your chances of winning, it’s crucial that most players perform well on the day. Both teams, despite their rich legacies at this venue, must approach the match with the mindset that nothing is guaranteed and that they need to play their best cricket."

South Africa's squad includes: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, and Senuran Muthusamy.

Australia's lineup features: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, and Matt Kuhnemann. The traveling reserve is Brendan Doggett.