The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia, played at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in mid-June, has set a new benchmark for Test cricket viewership in India.

The summit clash of the third WTC cycle not only delivered a thrilling five-wicket victory for South Africa but also made history off the field with unprecedented numbers across both broadcast and digital platforms.

According to a UNI report, the match has become the highest-rated and most-watched non-India Test match ever televised in India. With a staggering 2.94 billion minutes of TV viewing time and a reach of 47 million viewers on the Star Sports network, the final has reaffirmed the enduring love for Test cricket among Indian audiences.

On the digital front, it recorded a phenomenal 225 million views, nearly matching the viewership seen during the 2023 WTC Final between India and Australia at The Oval.

Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressed delight over the remarkable response from fans, calling it a clear indication of the continued significance of the five-day format. “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,” he said in a statement.

Shah further noted the importance of the sport’s global following, adding, “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.”

The in-stadia turnout also reflected the magnitude of the occasion, with 109,227 spectators attending the five-day contest at Lord’s, underscoring the draw of a global Test final, even without the involvement of cricket’s traditionally dominant broadcast market — India — as a participating team.

A significant share of credit for the broadcast success goes to JioStar, the production and marketing partner for the event. Shah praised their “innovative and immersive coverage” which, he said, “captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the ‘Ultimate Test’ in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.”

The WTC Final 2025 has not only strengthened the case for Test cricket’s relevance in the modern era but has also highlighted the power of immersive storytelling and premium broadcast production in engaging audiences at scale.