'It’s nice and different to an Australia-India final' - Pat Cummins' blunt comment on facing South Africa in WTC summit clash

India and Australia have been two of the most consistent teams in world cricket, especially in recent years. They faced each other in the World Test Championship (WTC 2025) and ODI World Cup finals in 2023. Australia emerged victorious in both games. However, India exacted revenge in the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions Trophy and went on to lift the title.

Australia are set to defend the WTC title when they face South Africa in the final at the Lord's Cricket Ground in England, starting on Wednesday, June 11. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said that facing the Proteas will be a nice and different experience after squaring off against India on several occasions on the big stage in recent years.

“In some ways, you expect India to be around. England have been quite strong at home, and New Zealand always seem to get to finals. But the same case could be made for South Africa in ICC events. We just don’t see a lot of them in Test cricket, but it’s nice and different to an Australia-India final," Cummins told the Guardian.

A section of the cricket fraternity has questioned South Africa's route to the final as they didn't face teams like India, England, or Australia in the 2023-2025 cycle. However, brushed aside this theory, saying nobody can fault South Africa for having a “different route” to the final. 

“You can only beat who you come up against. Our route to the final was pretty tough, but I don’t blame South Africa for having a different route,” he said.

'We haven’t played them much, but you’ve got to be well balanced to make the final' - Cummins on South Africa

Furthermore, Pat Cummins also highlighted the strength of South Africa's bowling attack and praised left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, apart from the fast bowlers. Interestingly, he also admitted that he was not sure of the South African unit as both nations have not faced the other in Tests in an ICC event.

“It’s hard to say because there are so many unknowns. We haven’t played them much, but you’ve got to be really well balanced to make the final. Their bowling has always stood out, and it’s no different now. Keshav Maharaj is a really solid spinner, and they’ve always got plenty of quick bowlers who pose a challenge,” Cummins concluded.