Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that Australia will be the favorites to win the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2025. He pointed out several significant factors that he considers advantages for the defending champions.
Chopra Believes Australia Hold a Clear Edge Over South Africa
Chopra noted that Australia will have a notable edge in the finals, particularly with Josh Hazlewood on their team, who has never lost a final in his career.Â
"Who will start as favorites? Naturally, Australia will be the favorite. If we compare player to player, they are the stronger team. Their quality and pedigree give them a slight advantage," Chopra stated. "They know how to win big games and lift trophies, especially with a player like Josh Hazlewood, who has a perfect record in finals. Australia will begin as firm favorites," he added.
Josh Hazlewood recently won the IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he performed exceptionally well, taking 23 wickets throughout the season and playing a crucial role in helping his team secure their maiden title. This victory adds to his impressive record of never losing a final in which he has participated.
Also Read: WTC 2025: This Is How Much Team India Will Win Despite Not Playing The Final
Chopra: Beating Australia Would Be a Remarkable Feat for South Africa
Aakash Chopra also mentioned that South Africa had a significantly easier path to reach the WTC Final. He acknowledged that if the Proteas managed to defeat Australia, it would be a remarkable accomplishment, although ultimately not impossible.Â
"South Africa reaching this stage is phenomenal. It's a significant achievement, and if they manage to pull off this victory, it would be incredible. While it seems unlikely, it's not impossible," Chopra observed.
Also Read:Â WTC 2025 Final: WTC Win can be South Africa's eureka moment like India's 1983 triumph - Sanjay Bangar
In conclusion, he suggested that the WTC finals should be played as a three-match Test series to determine the winner. He argued that this format would provide a more balanced contest between the finalists and should not be discarded due to time constraints, especially considering the two-year duration of the tournament.
Australia Playing 11 for the WTC finals
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Also Read:Â South Africa Predicted Playing XI for WTC Final
