[WATCH] Overcome with emotion, Keshav Maharaj sheds tears following South Africa’s landmark WTC 2025 triumph

After his team defeated Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, South Africa’s spinner Keshav Maharaj was overtaken with emotion.

The left-arm spinner thanked everyone and said it was a pleasure to lift the coveted trophy for his nation. They are proud as a nation and thankful as a team, he said. He expressed gratitude to all of their supporters. He described this success as a first step towards even bigger accomplishments and stressed that it is only the beginning.

“To raise the cup for everyone here and back home is a unique and honourable experience. The togetherness among all people during the past five days is what the nation is all about. After the WTC triumph, Keshav Maharaj said, “As a team, as a nation, as a proud country, we’re very grateful.”

If I had gone to bat, I believe the feelings would have motivated me in the proper path. (Message to fans back home) We appreciate everyone’s support; we have persevered in the face of hardship. We pay tribute to our predecessors, and we hope that this serves as a springboard for even bigger achievements in the future,” he continued.

See the footage of Keshav Maharaj sobbing following his victory in the WTC Final 2025.

Well done Proteas!👏👏👏👏👏
World Test Champions!!♥️
Keshav Maharaj is almost in tears!!#WorldTestChampionship#AUSvsSA #Lords pic.twitter.com/r6FJrqolVW

— 🚩Manojkumar 🇮🇳 (Modi Ka Parivaar)🪷 (@ManojkumarNair_) June 14, 2025

By dismissing Alex Carey in the WTC Final 2025, the left-arm spinner achieved a significant milestone: his 200th Test wicket. South Africa had not won an ICC championship since the 1998 Wills International Cup (later renamed the Champions Trophy), and this victory was their first in 27 years.

Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) led Australia’s 212-run first innings total, while Kagiso Rabada was outstanding with a spectacular five-wicket performance. However, despite a six-wicket masterclass from Pat Cummins, South Africa struggled in their first innings and was knocked out for 138.

In their second innings, Australia put up a strong fight and managed 207 runs, with Mitchell Starc (58) scoring vital runs. Aiden Markram, who led the Proteas with 136 runs and was well-supported by Temba Bavuma’s cool 66, led South Africa to a historic five-wicket triumph as they had to chase a target of 282.