Bhubaneswar, Jun 10: The 2025 sports landscape has been defined by long-awaited title victories, with teams and athletes finally securing elusive silverwares. Teams and athletes who had struggled for years finally lifted their first major trophies, making this year one of redemption and celebration.

From RCB’s first IPL trophy to PSG’s maiden UEFA Champions League win, this year has been a testament to perseverance. As the World Test Championship (WTC) Final approaches, South Africa hopes to continue this trend by stunning defending champions Australia at the iconic Lord’s – The Mecca of Cricket.

So before delving into the WTC final, which is scheduled to commence from June 11, let’s take a look at some historic sporting moments in 2025...

Breaking Trophy Droughts

Several franchises and players ended their years-long wait for silverware:

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first IPL title after 18 seasons, with Virat Kohli leading the charge. They defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS), who missed out on a chance to claim their maiden title, in an thrilling final.
2. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their first UEFA Champions League trophy, defeating Inter Milan in a dominant 5-0 victory.
3. Crystal Palace lifted their first major trophy in 119 years, winning the FA Cup against a mighty Manchester City 1-0.
4. Newcastle United ended a 70-year title drought, clinching the Carabao Cup against the Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1.
5. Harry Kane secured his first major club title with Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga win.

Redemption Stories

2025 has been a year of redemption, with teams overcoming past failures:

1. Tottenham Hotspur won the Europa League, their first major title in 17 years. They overcame a challenge from Manchester United.
2. Hobart Hurricanes secured their first Big Bash League (BBL) title after 13 seasons.
3. Union Saint-Gilloise broke a 90-year Belgian league title drought, marking a historic comeback.

Title On The Line

With so many instances of breaking the drought, now the question arises that – ‘Can South Africa achieve a similar feat when the take the field against the defending champions Australia?’ Notably, the last time South Africa had won an ICC title was in 1998 – ICC KnockOut Trophy (now ICC Champions Trophy).

South Africa’s Road to the Final

The Proteas have been consistent yet underrated, topping the WTC standings with eight wins from 12 Tests. Their squad, averaging 29.5 years, has shown resilience, finding match-winners at crucial moments.

Kagiso Rabada, with 327 wickets, leads the pace attack alongside Marco Jansen, who took 29 wickets in six matches. South Africa’s batting line-up, featuring David Bedingham and Temba Bavuma, has been solid, but their ability to handle Australia’s world-class bowling will be tested.

Australia’s Dominance in Finals

Australia is a powerhouse in major cricket finals, having won 10 of 13 global tournaments across formats. Their squad remains largely unchanged from their 2023 WTC triumph, with Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon leading the charge.

Josh Hazlewood, fresh off an IPL-winning campaign with RCB, is expected to replace Scott Boland. The Aussies’ ability to thrive under pressure makes them formidable opponents.

Key Battles to Watch

- Rabada vs Khawaja: Rabada has dismissed Khawaja five times in 10 matches.
- Smith’s Lord’s Record: Smith averages 58 at Lord’s, making him a crucial wicket.
- Spin Factor: Dry conditions could favour Nathan Lyon, who has 56 wickets against South Africa.

Can South Africa Overcome the Odds?

Despite their historical struggles in ICC tournaments, South Africa has the talent to challenge Australia. Their seven-match winning streak and ability to find match-winners at crucial moments could be decisive.

If they can handle Australia’s pressure game, the Proteas might script one of the biggest upsets in WTC history. So whether the South Africans would be able to follow ‘The Trend of Redemptions’ or not, only time will tell.

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