The spotlight in the World Test Championship Final is on the electrifying duel between Australia's batting mainstay Steve Smith and South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.
India will set themselves up as Australia's opponents in that final if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad next week.
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the 285-run first innings partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head made the difference in the World Test Championship final.
India still need two more wins from the remaining three Tests of the series to guarantee themselves a place in the WTC final.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon doesn't believe Australia's preparations for the World Test Championship final will be affected by the talk around the Ashes.
AB de Villiers feels the criticism that has come South Africa's way is unwarranted and they have rather done well to reach the WTC final despite experiencing "so many changes" in the last three to five years.
Hazlewood returned to Australia after reporting "minor side soreness" following his most recent IPL match for RCB
'You need all the departments to do well for you,' Rohit Sharma explained. 'And I thought our strength really has been all three departments.'
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar found senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from India's playing XI for the World Test Championship final baffling.
South Africa are within touching distance of a place in next June's World Test Championship final at Lord's but must win at least one of their two Tests against Pakistan
'Every series is important, as simple as that, when you are playing for your country..'.
India's 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday consolidated their position at the No 2 spot behind leaders Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
Australia dominated the proceedings on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
Shubman Gill called India's drawn second Test against Sri Lanka frustrating but praised his players' effort, cleared Mohammad Siraj of injury concerns and backed India's WTC qualification hopes.
'1st look at Inaugural men's test championship wicket. Needs a shave.'
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne will be pushed up in the order to open alongside Usman Khawaja.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the WTC final against Australia?
India have recalled Ajinkya Rahane to reinforce their batting line-up, which will have to be at its best to negate the Australian attack.
McDonald said team management were continually talking to senior players about their plans.
Markram hopes a run of sporting trophy droughts broken in 2025 rings true at the World Test Championship 2025 Final, with the Proteas taking on defending champions Australia from June 11.
When I think of the character of this team, our never-say-die attitude stands out. There are only three of us who have played over 50 Tests, but we never back down from a challenge
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued a stern warning to the Indian team ahead of their crucial Test series against Sri Lanka.
The weather forecast for Day 6 of the World Test Championship Final looks promising
'There's going to be a lot of logistics involved given the IPL final is only a week before the WTC final'
Ravi Shastri sounded sceptical about the possibility of players getting extended gap after the IPL or practice games ahead of future WTC final matches.
The surface displayed a cover of lush green grass, although it is worth noting that there are still a day remaining until the game begins.
This is India's second appearance in the WTC final after losing the inaugural game in 2021 to New Zealand.
Australia and India control their own destiny as they edge towards the conclusion of the competition
India face Australia in the WTC final on June 7 at The Oval in London.
South Africa are confident they can chase down a spot in next year's World Test Championship final, even if they must win four of their remaining five Tests in the current two-year cycle
Head said the win was a culmination of the hard work put in over the last two years.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has backed K L Rahul to seal his place as a wicketkeeper-batter for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Pat Cummins tore through South Africa before a Proteas fightback left the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 on a knife-edge at the end of an absorbing second day at Lord's.
Rahane's comeback after 15 months was on predictable lines
Captain Rohit Sharma believes all individuals showed a lot of character and stepped up when needed to take India to the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time.
Australia took the upper hand in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's, ending day two on 144-8 in their second innings with a lead of 218 runs after wickets tumbled freely again on Thursday.
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten century as South Africa edged tantalisingly close to an unlikely success in the World Test Championship final, needing 69 runs to dethrone Australia after reaching 213-2 at stumps on the third day at Lord's on Friday.
