South Africa set a strong start in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final against the defending champions Australia, as the Baggy Greens lost four wickets before the lunch break. The first session ended with a stunning catch by the Proteas wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, which dismissed the dangerous cricketer Travis Head. 

South Africa chose to field first after winning the toss in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final on Wednesday morning (June 11), which Lord's (London) is hosting. 

South African pacers provided a strong start for the Proteas as Australia were struggling at 67/4 at the lunch break. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen bagged two wickets each in that session, while the Aussie batters completely struggled to handle the early pressure. 

See Also: 'GOAT of Tests' - Fans react as Steve Smith scores half century in SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025

2025 ICC WTC Final: Kyle Verreynne's stunning catch sent Travis Head back cheaply

The first session of the 2025 ICC WTC Final ended with a wicket of dangerous Aussie left-handed batter Travis Head. The left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen bowled a leg-side delivery, which Head had a little touch on that travelled to the leg side. South African wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne quickly reacted to it and dived to his right side to take a stunner with his right hand to dismiss the dangerous Aussie batter. Head only managed to score 11 runs, as the South Africans were celebrating that big moment. 

 

 

 

 

 

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2025 ICC WTC Final: Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in an over

In the first session of the 2025 ICC WTC Final, South Africans were excellent at catching, as they counted every opportunity with their best responses. While the pacers provided strong starts with their tight line and lengths, the Proteas fielders were also very disciplined to support the bowlers. 

At lunch, while the defending champions Australia were struggling at 67/4, Steven Smith was batting at 26 runs, the only Australian to reach the 20-run mark. Opener Usman Khawaja failed to open his account, while the no.3 batter Cameron Green, making his Test comeback after more than a year, scored four off three balls, as Kagiso Rabada took two wickets in the seventh over of the match.

Later, Jansen dismissed another Aussie opener Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head for 17 and 11 runs, respectively. 

Legendary English pacer James Anderson has reacted to the new name of the England vs India Test series trophy, which is the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

India vs England Test series trophies have two different names depending on the hosting nation. Previously, the England vs India Test series in England was known as the Pataudi Trophy, in honour of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, who was the only cricketer to play for both England and India in Test cricket. On the other hand, the India vs England Test series in India is known as the Anthony de Mello Trophy, in honour of one of the founders of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

See Also: List of seven new cricketers inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame

Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy replaces Pataudi Trophy

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to replace the Pataudi Trophy with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The new name is in honour of the two legends, former English cricketer James Anderson and former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in Test, ODI, and international cricket, while Anderson is the leading Test and international wicket-taker as a pacer (third leading Test and international wicket-taker as a bowler).

It's a huge honour: James Anderson

The 42-year-old former English pacer James Anderson, who retired from international cricket last year but is still active in the game, feels a huge honour, which he still finds unbelievable. 

During a WP World event at Lord's, Anderson told ESPNcricinfo, "It's a huge honour. I still can't quite believe it. Sachin is someone I looked up to when I was growing up, though I don't want to do him a disservice with his age. I remember watching him, an absolute legend of the game, and I played against him a lot as well. So to have this trophy is a huge honour for me, and I couldn't be more proud."

'Still can't quite believe it' 🏆

James Anderson on the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 🗣️#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/KpVDPhGjTW

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 9, 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought the promo for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, where the top two table toppers, South Africa and Australia, will face each other from June 11 at Lord's in London.

In the video, Australian and South African players have been captured in the focus-looking ahead of the third ICC World Test Championship Final, while the Championship . It will be the first World Test Championship Final for South Africa, and they are facing the defending champions Australia, who are eyeing their second WTC title. 

WATCH: Angkrish Raghuvanshi refers Shreyas Iyer as 'Sarpanch Saab' in T20 Mumbai League

2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: South Africa eyeing their first ICC trophy after more than 26 years

South Africa men's national cricket team has only one ICC trophy, which is the ICC Champions Trophy 1998 title. They are waiting for about 27 years to win another ICC title, while their closest one in this period was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2025 runners-up. Now, the 2023-2025 ICC World Championship points table leader have the great chance to end their long and frustrating wait for their second ICC trophy. 

2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: Australia are ready to defend

Meanwhile, Australia won the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship Mace after beating India in the Final. It was their first ICC WTC trophy, as they became the first team to win all four ICC trophies. 

Before Australia, New Zealand became the first team to win the ICC WTC title after winning the inaugural ICC WTC Final (2019-2021 edition) by beating India. 

Two teams. One dream 👑

South Africa and Australia are ready to carve their names in Lord’s history 🤩#Cricket #CricketReels #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/FgeID10JXv

— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2025

During the league stage of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, South Africa earned 100 points after 12 Tests (PCT 69.44%) with eight wins, one draw, and three losses, and the second-placed Australia secured 154 points after 19 Tests (PCT 67.54%) with 13 wins, two draws, and four losses. 

Despite a stunning season, the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians had a heartbreaking exit from the IPL 2025 after losing Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings last Sunday night (June 1). After their IPL 2025 exit, MI owner Akash Ambani came to motivate the entire team.

IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians wrote an inspirational story 

Mumbai Indians, who finished in the 10th or last place for the two out of three previous IPL seasons, had a poor start in the IPL 2025 with only one win and four defeats in their first five matches of the season. However, they then made a great comeback with six straight wins and were in the battle to finish in the top two places of the points table. In their last three league stage games, MI won one and lost twice, and finished in fourth place in the points table with 16 points.

In the Eliminator, Mumbai Indians beat Gujarat Titans by 20 runs after scoring 228 runs. Meanwhile, in the rain-affected Qualifier 2, after MI scored 203/6 in 20 overs, Punjab Kings chased down the target in 19 overs after losing five wickets to eliminate the five-time IPL champions.  

After MI experienced a heartbreaking exit, which squashed their dream to become the first IPL side to win the trophy more than five times, owner Akash Ambani came to motivate the entire team, who worked hard and wrote an incredible inspiring story despite failing to win the trophy. During his talk, Akash Ambani also brought one of the quotes of his dad, Mukesh Ambani. 

[WATCH] IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya disheartened by Qualifier 2 loss against PBKS

Situations and circumstances like this can either make two choices: Akash Ambani

Akash Ambani said, "The last thing that I want to leave you with it's actually one of my dad's quotes. Situations and circumstances like this can either make two choices, right? Becoming a bitter person or becoming a better person. And better applies to each and every one individually of what it takes, skill-wise, mentality-wise, team spirit-wise. I am sure as hell and it is certain no one should take whatever is lost bitterly. We should take it better. And understand what it takes. What it takes to be champions of the IPL. Wish you all the best for the upcoming nine months to be, see you guys soon. And thank you for everything."

"Situations and circumstances can either make you a bitter person or a better person."

Akash Ambani spoke in the Dressing Room after #PBKSvMI and gave the team a way forward 💙#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai pic.twitter.com/BfUYthnpuo

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 2, 2025

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians got a strong start against the IPL 2022 champions Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator of the IPL 2025. GT fielders Sai Sudharsan and Gerald Coetzee teamed up for a stunning catch to bring the first wicket, as that catch dismissed dangerous MI opener Jonny Bairstow just before completion of his half-century. 

After Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya chose to bat first, Mumbai Indians openers Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow provided a strong start with 79/0 at the end of the powerplay. They had an 84-run partnership for the first wicket, before Jonny Bairstow was dismissed in the eighth over after scoring 47 off 22 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes. 

WATCH: Brydon Carse took blinder catch off Shai Hope in ENG vs WI first ODI

Jonny Bairstow was dismissed after a superb work by Sai Sudharsan and Gerald Coetzee

Bairstow went for a reverse-sweep to the left-arm spinner Sai Kishore. Backward point fielder Sai Sudharsan, the Orange Cap holder, made a desperate dive to his left and pushed the ball towards the short third fielder Gerald Coetzee, who comfortably completed that catch to dismiss the English cricketer. It was a much-needed breakthrough for Gujarat Titans.  

Top teamwork 🫡

Sai Sudharsan 🤝 Gerald Coetzee

Jonny Bairstow departs after an entertaining 47(22).

Updates ▶ https://t.co/R4RTzjQfph #TATAIPL | #GTvMI | #Eliminator | #TheLastMile pic.twitter.com/Om1nYyNDAT

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 30, 2025

Mumbai Indians scored 228/5 

Mumbai Indians ultimately managed to score 228/5 in 20 overs. Rohit Sharma smashed 81 off 50 balls with the help of nine fours and four sixes. In-form Suryakumar Yadav managed another 25+ knock by scoring 33 off 20 balls (one four and three sixes), while Tilak Varma (25 off 11 balls; three sixes) and skipper Hardik Pandya (22 not out off nine balls; three sixes) played useful cameos to set up a big total in the Eliminator. 

We all know very well how much love legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has for Indian music. During their recent IPL 2025 match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend Kohli danced to the iconic Bollywood song "Akhiyon se goli mare". 

Previously, we saw many times when Virat Kohli enjoyed dancing on and off the field. We are seeing more in recent times. During the Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (LSG vs RCB) IPL 2025 match in Lucknow, Kohli showcased another dancing skill. 

Virat Kohli dancing

In the middle of the first innings of the match, when LSG captain Rishabh Pant was batting with the opener Mitchell Marsh, where Pant had already completed his 50 runs, and Marsh was way on his half-century, Kohli was dancing in the short interval. There was the popular Bollywood song "Akhiyon se goli mare", and the former RCB captain couldn't resist dancing. 

#ViratKohli was dancing on Akhiyon se goli maare.. 🤩🕺#RCB pic.twitter.com/sVPjaVbLSc

— Prajakta ~ (@pprja_14) May 29, 2025

During the opening ceremony of the IPL 2025, Virat Kohli had a "Pathan" movie title song dance step with the movie hero and Kolkata Knight Riders' co-owner, Shah Rukh Khan. 

Virat Kohli dance on phatan song of srk
Video 📸
Credit by bcci#King #kohli pic.twitter.com/8ZD8PrMdqR

— Ãmit Mahato (@amit_mahato30) March 22, 2025

[WATCH] Qualifier 1: Jitesh Sharma’s stunning catch off Hazlewood seals PBKS’s fate in PBKS vs RCB Clash in IPL 2025

IPL 2025: RCB qualified for the Qualifier 1

While Marsh scored 67 runs, Pant scored a century and 118 not out off 61 balls, while LSG managed to score 227/3 in 20 overs. In reply, RCB chased down the target in 18.4 overs after losing only four wickets. It was the RCB openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, who started strongly with a 61-run partnership for the first wicket in 5.4 overs. While Salt scored 30 runs, Kohli scored 54 runs. Later, Mayank Agarwal (41) and hero of the match, stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma (85 off 33 balls), guided the team to a comfortable win, which helped them finish the IPL 2025 league stage in the second position in the points table with 19 points after 14 games. With this points table finish, RCB qualified for Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025.

Virat Kohli and his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, teamed up on a sports event as two participants; it was the first time that the star couple paired up for a real sports event. That became possible only for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Due to adverse weather conditions in South India, including Bengaluru, players had to stay indoors during the high time of IPL 2025. For some refreshments and mind-boosting purposes, team management arranged a pickleball event where all players of RCB and their family members and staff were invited to play.

So, on that special occasion, Virat paired up with Sharma, and they together both enjoyed the game. RCB shared multiple photos followed by a video of this event where we can see players, staff, and many other members associated with the team present for the indoor game.

Read More: 3 IPL teams that could be next home for Yashasvi Jaiswal

Change in venue for a couple of RCB matches

Like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, RCB batting mentor Dinesh Karthik was there with his wife and Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal in attendance. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, already qualified for the playoffs, is set to face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The match was actually scheduled to happen at Bengaluru, but due to constant rain threats, the match shifted from Bengaluru to Lucknow. After the conclusion of the Hyderabad clash, the Rajat Patidar-led side will take on Lucknow Super Giants at Lucknow. The Red and Black will push themselves all the way for victories in both matches to make sure of a place in the top two. 

Watch the moment when Virat and Anushka paired up for the event

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma & RCB team playing pickleball together.🥹

- RCB, A FAMILY..!!!! ❤️pic.twitter.com/JeyccM0ZZk

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 22, 2025

Cricket is not just a game. it's something that brings millions of people around the world to a gathering. With the nail-biting match, celebrate a victory-whatever the activity and occasion, cricket has managed to bring diverse communities together. One of the ingredients that have helped this passion over the years is the formation of ICC cricket anthems.These anthems have now become the tournaments represent synonymous, with provoking emotions in fans to root for their favorite teams. So, let us take a closer look at the most celebrated ICC cricket anthems that have reached the emotion of the game.

Game of Love & Unity (2007 ICC World Twenty20)

Bob's Beat (2015 ICC Cricket World Cup)

De Ghuma Ke (2011 ICC Cricket World Cup)

Stand By (2019 ICC Cricket World Cup)

ALSO SEE: BCCI Awards Team India ‘Champions Rings’ to Celebrate Historic T20 World Cup Triumph

This songs are very best Iconic ICC Cricket Anthems of All Time.

Watch the 5  iconic ICC cricket anthems :

Bob's Beat(2015 ICC Cricket World Cup)

Stand By (2019 ICC Cricket World Cup)

Game of Love & Unity (2007 ICC World Twenty20)

De Ghuma Ke (2011 ICC Cricket World Cup)

Live the Game, Love the Game (2022 T20 World Cup)

Which would be the best song is?

Bob's Beat (2015 ICC Cricket World Cup) is always great to see and feel.

The Ranji Trophy is going on and the Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir match taking place in Mumbai. 

Meanwhile, Indian Captain Rohit Sharma playing domestic for Mumbai, today is 3rd day of the match between Mumbai and J&K.

Jammu and Kashmir need 205 runs to win the match and Mumbai has to defend this and the team Mumbai is being led by Indian player Ajinkya Rahane.

Also Read: Noman Ali scripts history in Multan, becomes the first Pakistani spinner to claim a Test hattrick

However, before the match started, Rohit Sharma was seen giving a preparation talk to the Mumbai team.

Here’s the video:

Rohit Sharma giving Pep Talk to Mumbai team ahead of defending 205 runs at BKC. 👌

pic.twitter.com/FEmRJduafX

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__18) January 25, 2025

This video showed his leadership skills and the responsibility of the senior player as he is also the captain of the Indian team. 

Now, his fans over the twitter, spreading this video and showing his skills and support towards the team.

Meanwhile, the match condition is not in favor of Mumbai as J&K has already scored 72 runs.

If we talk about the condition of this match, Mumbai batted first and scored 120 runs, followed by J&K scoring 206 runs before getting all out. After that, Mumbai scored 290 runs, and now J&K is at 78-1, needing 127 more runs to win.

The Ranji Trophy match is going on, that is on 23rd January the match between Mumbai and Jammu & Kashmir is taking place in Mumbai.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal also participated in this match.

There were questions regarding Rohit Sharma's test form, which led BCCI to decide that all Indians would play domestic cricket.

Keeping all these things in mind, Rohit Sharma entered the domestic circuit and played his first match against Jammu & Kashmir.

But Rohit Sharma could not give a good start, he was out for only 3 runs in 19 balls.

Watch the Video of Rohit Sharma's Dismissal:

Our selfless captain sacrificed his wicket for this youngster so that he can get a chance in his career to play for indian cricket team.
Rohit Sharma✨🤞 pic.twitter.com/xIyAUz2r2R

— Humza Sheikh (@Sheikhhumza49) January 23, 2025

After Rohit's dismissal, some of his fans were angry, some fans also supported him that he would make a comeback.

Also Watch: Pushpa Celebration and Four-Wicket Haul: Mohammad Amir Shines in Vipers' ILT20 Triumph

Rohit Sharma is preparing for Champions Trophy 2025 by playing in Ranji Trophy but his first match did not go much and he could score only 3 runs.

But people believe that Rohit will make a comeback in the Champions Trophy 2025 because it has been seen that no matter how bad Rohit's form is, his performance in the ICC tournament has been amazing.