Former India player Aakash Chopra has named Australia as the favourites for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. He added that the Aussies are the better unit and they have Josh Hazlewood, who has never lost a final, as well. Notably, Australia will take on South Africa in the WTC final at Lord’s, starting from June 11.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Who will start as favourites? Of course, Australia are going to start as favourites. If you do man-to-man marking, they are a better team. Quality, pedigree, and you find that Australia have a bit more. 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 favourites.”

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However, Aakash Chopra also acknowledged that South Africa had a relatively easier path to the WTC final as well. But he praised them for reaching the final despite sending a second-string side for their away Test series against New Zealand as well.

“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.

“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,” Aakash Chopra concluded.