WTC Final 2025: Temba Bavuma scores his first run on the 31st ball, reminding fans of Cheteshwar Pujara’s gritty style. South Africa was in deep trouble after Day 1 against Australia at Lord’s.

Lord’s Drama Unfolds in WTC Final 2025

Back to Lord’s Stadium for the biggest Test test in cricket Durbash vs defending champions Australia in WTC Final 2025. The duel heading to become a blood sport after the first day of the match was a clash of equals, 14 wickets fell on the opening day. Australia: 212 in their first innings–a lightweight on-paper score that looked up by stumps.

South Africa’s Painfully Slow Start

The South African response, in short, was too much of a cautious one (perhaps. Their batting seemed to have been ticking time bombs rather than ticking any strategy. They had capitulated 43 runs from 22 overs with the loss of 4 key wickets And in the heat of this high stakes, low scoring thriller, a stone wall was being erected rather than a partnership by their captain Temba Bavuma. .

Bavuma’s 31-Ball Wait Sparks Memories of Pujara.

Yes, that was the moment when cricket lovers gasped and started chuckling at the captain….. fell off to Sharma for 31. His one single finally arrived, making (a hard-fought one too on the last ball) of Hazlewood’s 19th over and Lord’s applauded him as if he was past a century. The stoic denial of Bavuma reminded many Indians of Cheteshwar Pujara, the master of the extra slow innings.

RCB’s Glory Turns Tragic: Gavaskar Reacts to Celebration Stampede

Defensive or Defeated? Fans Divided

Some appreciated the tenacity of Bavuma, but others criticized his ultra-defensive approach as if. He came in at a pivotal time for South Africa, where they were 19/2 and we all awaited the stabilization of this innings along with blitzing at Australia. Rather than burn, the turtle-paced batting has made things tighter for our team. Lord’s set the sun and it was South Africa who were fighting against not only Australia but their ghosts too.

Shreyas Iyer’s Leadership Wins Hearts Despite IPL Final Loss

Game on, But South Africa is on the Backfoot

South Africa is at stumps trailing by 169 runs Score crawling, Bavuma not out and Vayvind Vellingham added to the lower-order: Bavuma remains unbeaten. Will the South Africans bounce back or has Bavuma’s ‘Pujara moment’ writ larger a batsmanship crisis? This is for sure, the WTC final starts with the drama Test cricket needs.

Smith Shatters 99-Yr Lord’s Record, Leaves Legends in Dust