“In some ways, you expect India to be around” - Pat Cummins’ massive statement ahead of AUS vs SA 2025 WTC final

Pat Cummins has made a significant comment about Team India ahead of Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa, which begins on June 11 at Lord's Cricket Ground. The right-arm pacer suggested that he expected India to be there, given their reputation as a top Test team.

Although India reached the WTC final on the previous two occasions, they failed to do so this time, following their disappointing outings in the last couple of series. After losing 3-0 to New Zealand at home, India found themselves largely out of the equation with a 3-1 defeat to Australia Down Under.

Speaking to The Guardian ahead of the WTC decider, Cummins acknowledged that it feels nice and different from an Australia-India final that takes place on most occasions.

"In some ways you expect India to be around. England have been quite strong at home and New Zealand always seem to get to finals. But the same case could be made for South Africa in ICC events. We just don’t see a lot of them in Test cricket but it’s nice and different to an Australia-India final."

New Zealand had beaten India in the 2021 WTC final in Southampton, and Australia followed it up with a victory of their own against the Asian Giants in 2023 at The Oval.

"We haven’t played them much" - Pat Cummins on South Africa

Pat Cummins. (Image Credits: Getty)

When asked what kind of challenge he expects from South Africa, Cummins stated that there are plenty of unknowns but admits Proteas cannot be taken lightly, given the number of game-changers in their ranks.

"It’s hard to say because there are so many unknowns. We haven’t played them much [with their last Test series ending in an easy Australian victory at home in 2022-23] but you’ve got to be really well balanced to make the final. Their bowling has always stood out and it’s no different now. [Keshav] Maharaj is a really solid spinner and they’ve always got plenty of quick bowlers who pose a challenge."

Australia and South Africa haven't met in a major ICC tournament final before.