The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s has broken new records for Test cricket viewership in India, with a massive spike in both broadcast and digital consumption.
The match, which saw South Africa defeat Australia by five wickets, became the most-watched non-India Test match ever on Indian television. It recorded a staggering 2.94 billion minutes of viewing and reached 47 million viewers on the Star Sports network.
On digital platforms, the WTC Final drew 225 million views, rivaling figures from the 2023 final between India and Australia — a strong signal of India’s growing appetite for high-stakes Test cricket, even when the national team is not competing.
Jay Shah: “Test cricket continues to command global loyalty”
ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed satisfaction with the results, highlighting both the sport’s tradition and its evolving media presence:
“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.”
Shah also emphasized the international appeal of the format, noting strong engagement from regions beyond the competing nations, reinforcing cricket’s expanding global footprint.
JioStar’s coverage plays key role in success
A major contributor to this success was JioStar, whose marketing, production, and immersive coverage elevated the viewer experience. The broadcast innovations helped capture the drama and intensity of the ‘Ultimate Test’ at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, which also saw an in-stadia attendance of 109,227 fans.
“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,” Shah added.
WTC Final: A win for the format
This WTC Final has reaffirmed the viability and relevance of the five-day format in the modern media landscape, particularly in India — the world’s largest cricket market. With compelling narratives, high production value, and strong fan engagement, Test cricket appears poised for a robust future.
