Temba Bavuma Leads South Africa to Historic ICC Victory

Temba Bavuma has made history by leading South Africa to their first ICC trophy, showcasing his exceptional skills as both a batter and captain. At 35, he joins the ranks of the oldest captains to win an ICC title, alongside legends like Imran Khan and Rohit Sharma. The South African team delivered a stellar performance in the World Test Championship final, with Aiden Markram's century and Kagiso Rabada's impressive bowling. This victory marks a significant milestone for South African cricket, promising a bright future ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 14, 2025, 20:16 IST

Temba Bavuma's Remarkable Achievement

Temba Bavuma has once again showcased his skills both as a batter and a captain, leading his team to a remarkable Test campaign and securing an ICC title. Remarkably, Bavuma has never faced defeat in a Test match as captain. At 35 years old, this marks his first ICC trophy, placing him among the oldest captains to achieve this feat. Other notable captains on this list include Imran Khan from Pakistan, Rohit Sharma from India, and Brian Lara from the West Indies.

Imran Khan: The Oldest Captain to Win an ICC Trophy

Imran Khan holds the record for being the oldest captain to win an ICC trophy, having led Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup at the age of 39 years and 172 days. Rohit Sharma follows closely behind, winning the Champions Trophy in 2025 at 37 years and 313 days, and the T20 World Cup in 2024 at 37 years and 60 days. Brian Lara led the West Indies to a Champions Trophy win in 2004 at 35 years and 146 days, while Temba Bavuma, at 35 years and 27 days, became the fifth oldest captain to secure an ICC title during the 2025 World Test Championship final.

South Africa's Dominant Performance

After a scoreless first innings, Aiden Markram emerged as the star of South Africa’s electrifying performance in the WTC finals. Chasing a target of 282 runs, Markram scored a remarkable century, finishing with 136 runs, making him the only South African to achieve a century in an ICC final. Captain Temba Bavuma also contributed significantly with a solid 66 runs. The Australian pace attack struggled against the Proteas' batting prowess, while Kagiso Rabada wreaked havoc on the Australian lineup, claiming a total of 9 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings.