South African spinner Keshav Maharaj was overtaken with passion when his team won the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, defeating Australia by five wickets.
The left-arm spinner expressed his gratitude, saying it was an honour to lift the famous trophy for his country. He remarked that they are grateful as a team and proud of the country. He expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported them. He emphasised that this win is only the beginning and serves as a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments.
“It’s special, and it’s an honour to raise the cup for everyone here and back home. In the previous five days, everyone has been united, which is what the country is all about. “We’re very grateful, as a team, as a nation, as a proud country,” Maharaj stated following the WTC victory.
“I believe the emotions would have pushed me in the right direction if I had gotten into bat.” (Message to fans back home) We’d want to thank everyone who has supported us; we’ve persevered despite difficulty. We honour those who came before us; may this be a stepping stone to bigger things,” he said.
Watch the video of Keshav Maharaj breaking down in tears after WTC Final 2025 win
Well done Proteas!👏👏👏👏👏
World Test Champions!!♥️
Keshav Maharaj is almost in tears!!#WorldTestChampionship#AUSvsSA #Lords pic.twitter.com/r6FJrqolVW
— 🚩Manojkumar 🇮🇳 (Modi Ka Parivaar)🪷 (@ManojkumarNair_) June 14, 2025
The left-arm spinner reached a milestone in the WTC Final 2025, dismissing Alex Carey for his 200th Test wicket. This was South Africa’s first ICC trophy in 27 years, following the 1998 Wills International Cup (later renamed the Champions Trophy).
In the first innings, Australia scored 212 runs, with Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) leading the way, while Kagiso Rabada took five wickets. However, South Africa faltered in their first innings, being bowled out for 138, thanks to Pat Cummins’ six-wicket masterpiece.
Australia fought valiantly in the second innings, scoring 207 runs, with Mitchell Starc (58) contributing key runs. The Proteas needed to chase down a total of 282, with Aiden Markram leading from the front with 136 runs and Temba Bavuma’s composed 66 helping South Africa to a historic five-wicket triumph.