The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final is scheduled to take place on June 11 at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The two teams that will compete for the coveted title are South Africa and Australia. At one point, the Indian cricket team was considered a strong contender to reach the final, but after consecutive losses to New Zealand and Australia in Test series, they were unable to secure a spot in the final. India finished third in the WTC 2023-25 points table, while the top two teams in the table, South Africa and Australia, earned their places in the final. India’s failure to qualify for the final could potentially lead to a financial loss for Lord’s due to the absence of a large Indian fanbase.
India’s Failure to Qualify: A Blow to Lord’s Revenue
According to a report from The Times, the absence of the Indian team in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final could result in a revenue loss of approximately four million pounds (around ₹45 crore) for Lord’s. This significant financial setback highlights the substantial financial impact that India, with its massive fanbase, has on cricket events. Lord’s, as part of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), had initially set high ticket prices for the final with the expectation that India would be a contender. However, with India failing to qualify, the financial expectations have been dramatically reduced.
Impact of India’s Absence on Lord’s Financial Projections
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which oversees the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, had originally set ticket prices for the World Test Championship final based on the assumption that India would be part of the final. With India now out of contention, the MCC revised its pricing strategy to attract more spectators. According to the report, the MCC had expected a major influx of Indian fans, whose presence would have contributed to a significant boost in ticket sales and merchandise revenue. As a result of India’s absence, ticket prices for the final have been reduced, leading to a revenue shortfall.
Revised Ticket Prices for the Final
In light of India’s non-qualification, the MCC adjusted the ticket prices for the final match. Initially, the tickets for the World Test Championship final were set at higher prices, assuming a larger audience, especially from India. After India failed to qualify, the MCC decided to lower the prices to make them more affordable and attract a broader audience. The revised ticket prices now range from £40 to £90, which is approximately £50 cheaper than the original prices. This price reduction has inevitably led to a decrease in expected revenue for the event. Although the MCC aims to make the final financially viable, the absence of the Indian team has still left a noticeable gap in anticipated earnings.
The Indian Team’s Poor Performance in Recent Test Series
The Indian team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, struggled in recent Test series, which ultimately led to their failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final. India faced a heavy defeat at home against New Zealand, losing the Test series 0-3. This marked the first time in history that India had been swept 3-0 or more in a Test series at home. The loss was a major blow to India’s chances of reaching the final.
India’s dismal performance continued in the Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia. Although India won the first Test of the series, their form dipped after that, and they were unable to recover. Despite strong individual performances, the team struggled to maintain consistency across the series. These back-to-back losses to New Zealand and Australia proved to be the decisive factor in India’s failure to secure a spot in the WTC final.
India’s Competitive Edge in World Test Cricket
India’s failure to qualify for the final has come as a surprise, given the team’s strong track record in world cricket over the past few years. India had been one of the top teams in Test cricket, with remarkable series wins and consistently high rankings in the ICC Test rankings. Their absence from the World Test Championship final marks a significant change in the dynamic of world Test cricket. For Lord’s, the Indian team’s absence is especially concerning, as Indian fans have traditionally been a major part of the crowd at international cricket events.
Financial Impact of Indian Fanbase on International Cricket Events
India’s massive cricketing fanbase is a crucial source of revenue for cricket events worldwide. The presence of Indian spectators at major cricket tournaments, especially in the UK and Australia, has been a significant driver of ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting deals. The Indian team’s participation in the World Test Championship final would have attracted a large number of Indian fans to Lord’s, contributing to a notable financial windfall. With India out of the final, the revenue expectations from ticket sales and associated merchandise sales have been considerably diminished.
The Role of Cricket Diplomacy in Financial Decisions
Cricket diplomacy plays an important role in shaping the financial landscape of international cricket events. The strong presence of the Indian fanbase often drives financial decisions, including ticket pricing and venue planning. The MCC’s initial decision to set high ticket prices for the World Test Championship final reflected the expectation that India would be involved, and the revenue generated from Indian spectators would help offset the costs of hosting the event. However, the shift in plans after India’s failure to qualify demonstrates how crucial the Indian fanbase is to the financial success of international cricket events.
The Future of the World Test Championship
As the 2025 World Test Championship final approaches, the focus will shift to the two teams that have qualified: South Africa and Australia. Both teams have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the championship and are now set to compete for the prestigious title. Despite India’s absence, the final promises to deliver high-quality Test cricket, showcasing the best of what the format has to offer. However, the financial impact of India’s non-qualification will undoubtedly be felt, not only at Lord’s but across the global cricketing landscape.
India’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final has created a financial challenge for Lord’s and the MCC. The absence of Indian fans will likely lead to a considerable reduction in expected revenue from ticket sales and merchandise. Although the final will still feature high-quality cricket between South Africa and Australia, it marks a missed opportunity for the Indian team and its supporters. As India reflects on its performance in the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, it will need to regroup and focus on improving its Test cricket form to ensure that it secures a spot in future finals. For now, the cricketing world will turn its attention to the historic clash at Lord’s, as two of the world’s top Test teams battle for supremacy.
