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South Africa have been crowned World Test Championship (WTC) champions. After Kagiso Rabada's heroics with the ball, Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma led the way for South Africa as they beat Australia by five wickets. After South Africa's ICC title celebrations, the focus will shift to the five-Test series between India and England. While England lack experienced pacers, India are without the services of their recently retired senior trio. Days ahead of the series, legendary South Africa pacer Dale Steyn feels there will be no draws or one-sided games between India and England. However, he feels Ben Stokes-led England will win the series.
“All games will be close. But all will have a result. I think it will be 3-2 in favour of England. There will be a result in every Test match. There will be no runaway win for any team, all five games will be very close,” Steyn said on JioHotstar.
Currently, Shubman Gill-led Indian team is gearing up for the long tour with an intra-squad game. The Test series will begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, a venue where they suffered a heavy defeat by an innings on previous tour.
Steyn also gave a befitting reply to those questioning South Africa's journey to book their WTC 2025 final spot. Steyn said that winning seven Test in a row is no easy feat.
“From the start of this World Test Championship cycle, South Africa knew they had to win a certain number of games to make it to the final — and they did that, winning seven in a row, regardless of the opposition,” Steyn said.
“It doesn’t matter who you’re up against, anyone who’s played Test cricket will tell you that winning even a single Test match is never easy. To win seven consecutively, earn a spot in the final, and then go on to get over the line today — that’s absolutely huge,” the 41-year-old added.
South Africa's upcoming Test campaigns in 2025
Bavuma has not lost a single Test as captain. It is expected to stay that way as South Africa's next Test series is against Zimbabwe. The tour of Zimbabwe will begin on June 28. However, later this year, they will face a stiff challenge in India. They will play a two-Test series in November.
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