"There is a guy, Josh Hazlewood, who has never lost a final" - Aakash Chopra on favorites for 2025 WTC final

Former India player Aakash Chopra has picked Australia as the favorites for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. He noted that the Aussies are the better unit and have Josh Hazlewood, who has never lost a final, in their lineup.

Australia will lock horns with South Africa in the WTC final at Lord's, starting from June 11. Pat Cummins and company are the defending champions, having defeated India by 209 runs in the 2023 edition's summit clash at The Oval.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener opined that Australia are heavy favorites heading into the WTC final, highlighting that multiple factors work in their favor.

"Who will start as favorites? Of course, Australia are going to start as favorites. If you do man-to-man marking, they are a better team. Quality, pedigree, and you find that Australia have a bit more," Chopra said (1:15).

"They also know how to win big games and lift trophies, and there is a guy, Josh Hazlewood, who has never lost a final. He has also reached there. Australia will start as firm favorites," he added.

Josh Hazlewood played a key role in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) title-winning run in IPL 2025. The Australian seamer, who missed the 2023 WTC final, has picked up 279 wickets at an average of 24.57 in 72 Tests.

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"They had a slightly easy draw" - Aakash Chopra on South Africa qualifying for 2025 WTC final

South Africa finished atop the WTC points table. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra acknowledged that South Africa had a relatively easier path to the WTC final. However, he praised the Proteas for making the grade despite sending a second-string side for their away Test series against New Zealand.

"You need to applaud South Africa for their journey because it's difficult. They had a slightly easy draw, but the truth is that they didn't send their A-team to New Zealand because the SA20 was happening at that time, and certain teams can't afford to miss their domestic T20 cricket," he said (2:00).

To conclude, the cricketer-turned-commentator noted that it would be an incredible achievement if South Africa surprise Australia in the title decider.

"The entire world stops for us. A window is created during the IPL where no one plays, but not all teams are like that. South Africa reaching here is a phenomenal thing. It's a huge achievement, and if they pull off this victory, that would be absolutely incredible. It seems improbable, but it's not impossible," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra also opined that the WTC final should be a three-match series, highlighting that no Test series is a one-game affair. He added that the lack of time cannot be an excuse for a tournament that is played across two years.