The highly anticipated third World Test Championship (WTC) final is set to take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11 to 15, 2025, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday. The ICC has also designated June 16 as a reserve day in case the match requires additional time to reach a conclusion.
“The ICC World Test Championship Final has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar and we are pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 edition,” stated ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, emphasizing the significance the final has garnered since its inception.
This will be the first time that Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” will host the WTC final. The previous two finals were held in different venues: Southampton hosted the inaugural final in 2021, while The Oval was the venue for the 2023 final.
India, one of the most consistent teams in the WTC, featured in both of these finals. In the 2021 final, they were defeated by New Zealand, and in the 2023 final, they lost to Australia. Despite these setbacks, India remains a dominant force in Test cricket and is currently leading the race to qualify for the 2025 final.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India is currently at the top of the WTC standings, ahead of the reigning champions, Australia. The upcoming five-match Test series between India and Australia, set to be played in Australia later this year, will be crucial in determining which team secures a spot in the final. The series is expected to be a fierce contest as both teams are in excellent form and eager to make it to Lord’s.
Other teams are also in contention for a place in the WTC final. New Zealand, currently ranked third, England, in fourth place, Sri Lanka, holding fifth position, South Africa in sixth, and Bangladesh in seventh are all vying for a chance to compete in the one-off decider at Lord’s. Each of these teams has upcoming Test series that could significantly impact their chances of qualifying for the final.
However, Pakistan’s hopes of making it to the WTC final have been dealt a severe blow. In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan suffered a 0-2 defeat at home against Bangladesh in a recently concluded two-match Test series. This loss has significantly hampered Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the final, putting them in a precarious position as the WTC cycle nears its conclusion.
With the final set for June 2025, the race to secure a spot at Lord’s is heating up, and the remaining Test matches in the WTC cycle will be critical for the teams still in contention. As the date approaches, cricket fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which two teams will earn the right to compete for the prestigious WTC title at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
