South Africa’s star spinner Keshav Maharaj has inadvertently leaked his team’s playing 11 for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final.
The news is making headlines ahead of the high-voltage clash against Australia at Lord’s from June 11.
Maharaj, who has taken 198 wickets in 57 Tests, accidentally revealed South Africa’s probable playing 11 in an interview.
The leaked South Africa’s WTC Final 2025 playing XI
Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreyne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada.
WTC Final 2025 playing XI leak created sensation
This leak happened when Maharaj was talking about the preparations for the final against Australia.
He said, “The spirit of our team is amazing. We never give up, and our record at Lord’s has also been excellent.”
But in the conversation, he could not stop himself from mentioning the names of the playing 11. This revelation has given the Australian camp a golden opportunity to make a strategy.
Maharaj has played an important role in taking South Africa to the final by taking 40 wickets in 8 matches in this WTC cycle. He himself is just 2 wickets away from the milestone of 200 Test wickets.
But after this leak, fans and experts say that this mistake may affect the team’s strategy.
The South African team has recently won seven Tests in a row against West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, leading them to the top of the WTC table.
On the other hand, Australia is also in great form, and they have stalwarts like Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins.
Will the Proteas (SA) get their first title?
South Africa have not won any senior men’s ICC title since 1998.
Maharaj said, “Our focus is on implementing our plans. Winning the trophy is our dream, and we will put in all our efforts for it.”
But this leak has given Australia an opportunity to understand the Proteas’ strategy.
