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Watch: Temba Bavuma unveils South Africa's WTC 2025 Final squad in fiery video

Watch: Temba Bavuma unveils South Africa's WTC 2025 Final squad in fiery video

India Today13-05-2025

South Africa unveiled their World Test Championship final squad on Tuesday, May 13 with captain Temba Bavuma revealing the names of the 15 players in a fiery video on social media. The Proteas will take on Australia in their first-ever appearance in the WTC final, which is scheduled to be played at the iconic Lord's in London between June 11 and 15.advertisement"This is the squad that carries our hopes," Temba Bavuma said in the video.Lungi Ngidi will add firepower to an already power-packed fast-bowling line-up, which has the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Dane Paterson, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch. Ngidi last played for South Africa in October 2024, but the pacer has rerturned to peak fitness and was recently part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad in IPL 2025.
Apart from captain Bavuma, there's plenty of experience in the batting unit, which has the likes of Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham. Kyle Verreyne has been picked as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the summit clash.Defining moments. Unshakable character. This is what Test cricket's all about .As we look to the battle that awaits, we acknowledge growth and reward perseverance .This isn't just a squad; it's a statement of intent and a true reflection of grit .#WTC25 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/qa1de9NFWX— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) May 13, 2025advertisementSouth Africa have picked two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthuswamy for the final in London."A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we've stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We've selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord's," coach Shukri Conrad said while announcing the squad.'I'm particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He's put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.'Earlier in the day, Australia announced their 15-man squad, confirming the return of all-rounder Cameron Green and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood to the squad.South Africa Squad for WTC 2025 Final Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson

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WTC Final: Pacers Lord over batters
WTC Final: Pacers Lord over batters

New Indian Express

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WTC Final: Pacers Lord over batters

Caught first slip. Caught second slip. Caught keeper. Caught keeper. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. Bowled. Caught first slip. Bowled. Bowled. There was a very clear trend behind all 14 wickets to fall on Day One of the final of the World Test Championships between South Africa and Australia. After the former invited the latter to bat in overcast conditions, they either induced the outside edge or found the stumps. When it was time for the holders to bowl in the third session, they returned the favour in kind. It was just that kind of day, and surface, at Lord's. The bowlers knew there was juice to be extracted as it was nibbling both ways. The wobble seam — an increasingly important weapon in a seamer's arsenal when bowling in these parts — again played a big role. The end result? This generation's generational red-ball operators — Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins — all left their footprint in the longest format's showpiece event of the last two years. The awesome foursome scalped nine wickets for just 85 runs across 36 bewitching overs. But South Africa, seeking their first men's ICC title this century, were in the mire when stumps were drawn on Wednesday. The Proteas were 43/4, trailing Australia by 169 runs. The holders may have left a few runs with the bat but their bowlers were on the money right from the off. In England, it's all about making that adjustment to hit that same top of off mark and they made that adjustment that bit sooner. They were also more disciplined in their length as they kept the most common mode of dismissals — nicked behind to the keeper or cordon or bowled or lbw — in play throughout the third session. In the absence of freebies, bowlers were given extended runs to the same batters. Here are a few samples. Wiaan Mulder's three came off 37 deliveries. Temba Bavuma played out five overs before opening his account. The only time Australia erred in line, it came two balls before stumps when a tired Cummins went in search of two magic balls in succession. David Bedingham put both of those balls away. But the Proteas need more of those if they want to realise their dream of global glory. Two hours into Wednesday, though, they would have been excused for doing just that at lunch. There were several strange similarities to the last World Test Championship final after the first 30 overs on Wednesday. South Africa, just like India did at The Oval two Junes ago, opted to bowl first in overcast conditions. Just like India, they had picked up early wickets. Just like India, the Proteas were the happier of the two dressing rooms at lunch. Team winning the toss bowling first under overcast skies. Australia finding it tough before Usman Khawaja leaving without scoring after a torturous existence. Marnus Labuschagne gamely fighting before leaving after a torturous existence. An explosive left-hander nicking one down the leg-side to the keeper. Australia going nowhere at lunch. In 2023, though, Australia kept going from strength to strength as the Indian bowlers were defanged by a combination of Travis Head's bravura batting and Steve Smith's solidity. But the South African bowling unit, taller, a few clicks pacier and also comprising a left-arm seamer, stuck to their guns in a manner the Indian attack didn't. Both units strayed and lacked discipline at times in the two sessions after lunch — Australia scoring a bulk of their runs in boundaries against both attacks was proof of this — but Rabada, Jansen and the others were able to extract more bounce off the surface and married it with optimum seam off the surface in a way the Indian bowlers couldn't. The end result? After being inserted in, Australia stumbled staggered to 210 from a seemingly commanding 142/4 after 41.5 overs. How South Africa bagged all 10 wickets was indicative of the help they had on the surface. However, at the end of an ultimately sun-kissed Day One, Cummins & Co will know they have taken the initiative to retain the mace. Brief scores: Australia 212 in 56.4 ovs (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5/51, Jansen 3/49) vs South Africa 43/4 in 22 ovs (Rickelton 16; Starc 2/10).

Rabada rues his luck despite five-wicket haul in WTC final
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Rabada rues his luck despite five-wicket haul in WTC final

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Sad Virat Kohli retired like this, I'd have made him Test captain: Ravi Shastri
Sad Virat Kohli retired like this, I'd have made him Test captain: Ravi Shastri

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Sad Virat Kohli retired like this, I'd have made him Test captain: Ravi Shastri

Former India coach Ravi Shastri expressed his disappointment over the manner in which Virat Kohli retired, offering a candid assessment of how events unfolded following the tour of Australia. Shastri stressed that better communication was needed among the stakeholders of Indian cricket, adding he would have had no hesitation in appointing Kohli as Test captain ahead of the England Kohli retired from Test cricket in May, taking many by surprise. The former captain announced his decision in an emotional social media post midway through the IPL 2025 when you go, that's when people will realise how big a player he was. I feel sad that he is gone, the way he's gone. I think it could have been handled better. There should have been more communication. If I had anything to do with it, I would have made him captain straight away after Australia,' Ravi Shastri told Sony Sports. Kohli's decision came just days after Rohit Sharma called time on his own Test career. While Rohit's retirement was somewhat expected, Kohli stepping away from the format he loved most caught many off guard." , ..." - Ravi ShastriWatch 'Bharat Tum Chale Chalo, Kahani 21-22 ki' from 15th June, only on Sony LIV & Sony Sports Network TV channels Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) June 11, 2025Sources told India Today that Kohli had informed the BCCI and selectors of his decision in May, and that a key board member had attempted to convince him to stay on for the England Kohli proceeded with his retirement, sharing a heartfelt farewell message in which he explained his reasons for leaving behind the format that 'tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life'.Earlier in May, Ravi Shastri also confirmed that Kohli had spoken to him before taking the major decision regarding his Test career. Kohli finished his red-ball journey with 9,230 runs from 130 will now be without three of their biggest match-winners—Kohli, Rohit, and R Ashwin—for the upcoming tour of England, starting 20 June. The series also marks the beginning of India's new World Test Championship Gill will lead the side, with Rishabh Pant named vice-captain for the five-Test Kohli will continue to play one-day internationals for India. He retired from T20I cricket after winning the World Cup in 2024. Kohli ended his 18-year-long wait for an IPL trophy earlier this month when RCB defeated Punjab Kings in the final to win the elusive crown. You May Also Like

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