Who does not want the underdog team to beat the favorites? Sport is all about glorious uncertainties and history to be made. India did it in the ODI World Cup in 1983 and made the whole generation believe in the game of cricket. South Africa is on the cusp of achieving something similar when they take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's, starting on June 11 to 15. Cricketer-turned-expert Sanjay Bangar feels this could be South Africa's eureka moment, just like Kapil Dev & Co. in 1983.
Bangar also went on to state that this year has been the year of unexpected in sports as a lot of underdog teams have gone on to clinch the trophy, breaking years and years of curse. South Africa, who has won just one ICC Trophy in 1998, have a chance to rewrite history and inspire a generation of people to follow cricket, just like India did in 1983 by beating the mighty West Indies.
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“This is a year of underdogs, and it could be a very good story for the relevance and the importance of the World Test Championship. And also because what happens is that if you have a big win as a country, then that has the potential to galvanize the cricketing fraternity in that particular nation. So if that has to happen, it will be fantastic for the growth of South Africa,” JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar said while replying to a query from India Today on the eve of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.
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“They are a very proud sporting nation, and so far, the glory has, somehow, slipped away from them on critical occasions. But if these bunch of South African players can do that, then it will inspire a generation of young South African players, and there won't be any dearth of talent. What they may require is a little bit of a eureka moment, which was the fact for India in 1983 that ‘yes we can go out and do very well on the world stage. So that is the significance from the South African point of view,’” he added.
Australia don't have any weak links: Sanjay Bangar
The former all-rounder further stated that Australia does not have any weak links to exploit, as they are a well-rounded side that has enough match-winners when it comes to big stages. It is to be noted that Australia is defending WTC Champions and knows a thing or two about winning big moments in the game. Overall, Australia has won 6 ODI World Cups, two Champions Trophies, one T20 World Cup in 2021, and one WTC in 2023. Aussies are known to thrive on big occasions and have players who stand up when needed the most.
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“As far as the weak links are concerned, I don't see any weak links in Australia, very honestly, because they have some experienced batters, they have an experienced bowling attack. They also have depth in the batting lineup because even Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon can contribute with the bat. So it's going to be hard work, but cricket is not played on reputation. Players from both teams will have, two chances in those two innings to be the performers. So let's hope and see that if South Africa can do that, that'll be brilliant for South African cricket,” Bangar concluded.
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The task won't be easy for Temba Bavuma & Co, but with some luck and a fearless attitude, South Africa can very well dare to upset the mighty Aussies and etch their name in the cricketing folklore.
