The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s earlier this month has achieved record-breaking broadcast and digital numbers in India, a testament to the continued popularity of the traditional five-day format of the game and to the impactful marketing and production efforts of JioStar.
The final of the third WTC cycle, which saw South Africa defeat Australia by five wickets, has become the highest-rated and most watched (2.94 billion minutes of viewing) non-India Test match on TV with the highest reach (47 million) garnered on the Star Sports network.
The WTC Final also recorded the highest-ever viewership on Digital with 225 million views, which rivalled viewership for the final of the last edition, despite India taking on Australia in that final at The Oval.
Mr. Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC, said he was pleased with the broadcast and digital numbers in India, which reflected the significance of Test cricket for cricket fans.
The Test match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground was also watched by 109,227 in-stadia fans.
Mr. Shah said: “The remarkable viewership numbers for the ICC World Test Championship Final, across both broadcast and digital platforms, are a powerful testament to the appeal of high-quality Test cricket and the elevated context of the WTC Final. This format continues to command a loyal and passionate global following and remains an integral part of our sport’s identity.”
“What makes this success even more special is the enthusiasm shown by fans in regions beyond the two competing nations, reaffirming that cricket’s reach is truly international, and that the purest form of the game can thrive beyond national affiliations.”
“A special mention to JioStar, whose innovative and immersive coverage, captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the ‘Ultimate Test’ in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.”
ReiGnZ
Zimbabwe and South Africa are two of just 10 countries sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to play Test Cricket.
Meep
The All Blacks perform the traditional Māori war dance, called the Haka, before each match. The Haka serves as a display of strength, unity, and respect for their opponents. The most famous version performed by the team is called “Ka Mate,” although they have also introduced other versions, such as “Kapa o Pango.”