The 2025 WTC Final is more than a cricket match for Kagiso Rabada. It is a test of character, a battle for redemption, and an opportunity to silence his critics
Australia will no doubt try to exploit his past missteps, but as Cullinan aptly put it, the best way for Rabada to respond is by doing what he does best—taking wickets.
His pace, aggression, and match-winning ability can still turn him into a hero. Cricket fans around the world will be watching closely—not just to see who lifts the trophy, but to witness whether Rabada can rise from controversy and reclaim his narrative.
If he succeeds, the 2025 WTC Final won’t just be remembered for its cricket—it will be remembered as the moment when Kagiso Rabada rewrote his legacy.
In the age of social media scrutiny, hypersensitive public reaction, and high-performance pressure, it’s easy to look for shortcuts — even in the mental game.
But what Pat Cummins and Australia are signaling is clear: winning is important, but how you win matters just as much.
With players like Rabada eager to redeem themselves through performance and leaders like Cummins setting new standards, the 2025 WTC Final promises to be a cricketing showcase that celebrates resilience, redemption, and respect.
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Table of Contents
Kagiso Rabada’s Controversy, Australia’s Mind Games & the Road to Redemption
As the cricketing world readies itself for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, a storm brews off the field.1
South Africa’s ace pacer, Kagiso Rabada, finds himself in the eye of it. Despite being cleared to play after serving a one-month suspension for failing a doping test earlier in the year, Rabada’s troubles may be far from over.
Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan believes that Australia will use the incident to gain a mental edge over the speedster during the highly anticipated WTC Final.
Cullinan’s remarks have reignited debates around sportsmanship, mental resilience, and the razor-thin margins that define elite cricket.
With Australia known for their aggressive brand of cricket and psychological warfare, the build-up to the final has turned into more than just a tactical showdown—it’s becoming a test of character.
The Drug Ban That Shook South Africa
Kagiso Rabada’s brief ban was one of the most shocking stories during the 2025 cricket season. The fast bowler tested positive for a banned substance during a routine test in early 2025.
The result sent ripples through the South African cricketing fraternity, with media scrutiny and public speculation overshadowing the initial stages of the IPL.
Though Rabada vehemently denied intentional usage and cooperated with the investigation, the damage to his reputation was immediate.
The one-month suspension meant missing crucial games for Gujarat Titans, his IPL franchise. While the fast bowler was eventually cleared to return—citing a contaminated supplement as the cause—the stigma remains.
Australia’s Psychological Warfare: A History of Mental Dissection
Cullinan’s suggestion that Australia will use the drug ban for mental games is not unfounded. Historically, the Australian team has mastered the art of getting under opponents’ skin.
From sledging on the field to off-field banter and press room jabs, they have weaponized the mental aspect of the game.
In past encounters, Rabada has already been on the receiving end. The infamous 2018 series saw him collide with then-Australian captain Steve Smith, an incident that resulted in a two-match ban. Although Rabada’s appeal overturned the decision, the tension with Australia has simmered ever since.
Expect fireworks when these two forces collide again. This time, however, the battleground won’t just be the pitch—it will be Rabada’s resilience in the face of verbal jabs and implied accusations.
Cullinan’s Perspective: The Shadow That Will Linger
Daryll Cullinan, never one to mince words, painted a grim picture of Rabada’s future in elite cricket.
He asserted that Rabada would have to endure constant references to the drug ban for the remainder of his career—not just from opponents, but from fans and commentators alike.
“Only he can deal with it,” Cullinan remarked. “The best would be just to take wickets.”
Cullinan’s statement holds a harsh but undeniable truth. In professional sports, a damaged reputation often lingers far longer than the official suspension. Rabada’s on-field performance might eventually shift the narrative, but the journey will not be easy.
Kagiso Rabada’s Path to Redemption
Despite the controversy, Rabada has shown remarkable poise and focus since his return. He featured in a few IPL 2025 games post-suspension and was instrumental in Gujarat Titans’ bowling attack.2
Moreover, his outing in the warm-up game against Zimbabwe ahead of the WTC Final demonstrated that he still has pace, control, and fire in his belly.
For Rabada, the WTC Final is more than just a title shot—it’s a chance at redemption. A strong performance on this stage could redefine the headlines and reshape public opinion. Cricket has always loved a comeback story, and Rabada might just be writing his.
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The WTC Final: High Stakes and Higher Pressure
The WTC Final between Australia and South Africa is one of the most anticipated events on the 2025 cricketing calendar. Both teams are in top form, and the match promises to be a contest of skill, grit, and temperament.
For South Africa, it’s a shot at Test cricket glory—something that has eluded them for decades. For Australia, it’s another opportunity to stamp their dominance in world cricket.
The conditions, the crowd, and the media frenzy will all add to the pressure. And for Rabada, every delivery will carry the weight of scrutiny. How he handles this moment could define not only the outcome of the final but the arc of his entire career.
Kagiso Rabada: Media Frenzy and Public Sentiment
The media circus around Rabada has been relentless. While some former cricketers and experts have offered support, others have questioned the timing and nature of his return.3
Social media, too, has been polarizing. Some fans have rallied behind Rabada, labeling him a victim of flawed anti-doping protocols, while others have taken a more skeptical view.
In this digital age, narratives form quickly and can be brutal. Rabada’s every move, every wicket, and every word will be dissected in real time. It’s a lot for any athlete to endure, but especially for someone who plays the high-stakes role of a strike bowler.
Teammates and Support System: South Africa’s Unity
One positive for Rabada has been the unwavering support from his teammates and the South African cricket board.
The management stood by him during the investigation and even allowed him to participate in team meetings and training during the ban.
Captain Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad have made it clear that Rabada is a key part of their strategy for the WTC Final. The team has closed ranks, presenting a united front ahead of the clash with Australia.
This unity will be critical in shielding Rabada from excessive distractions and ensuring the team remains focused.
Lessons from the Past: The Smith-Warner Sandpaper Saga
Interestingly, Australia’s current core features players like Steve Smith and David Warner—cricketers who’ve themselves walked the long road back from scandal.
The infamous 2018 ball-tampering saga resulted in year-long bans for both players. Yet today, they are integral to Australia’s success and respected figures in world cricket again.
This serves as a parallel for Rabada. Redemption is possible. Smith and Warner rebuilt their careers through performance, humility, and resilience.
Rabada can take heart from that path and know that excellence has the power to rewrite the most tainted of scripts.
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Pat Cummins on Kagiso Rabada‘s Drug Ban
A Modern Captain in a Historic Rivalry
The age-old rivalry between Australia and South Africa has been marked by fierce competition, intense moments, and no shortage of on-field banter.
Yet under Pat Cummins’ leadership, the Australian team has taken a significantly different tone — one that is more composed, respectful, and results-focused.
As the 2025 World Test Championship Final looms, Cummins’ recent comments about South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada underscore the team’s commitment to staying away from psychological warfare.
Cummins, addressing the media ahead of the final, was quick to distance himself and the Australian side from any suggestion that Rabada’s recent drug-related controversy would be used as sledging fodder.
“It’s not really our style. I’d be surprised if that came up,” Cummins said.
Setting the Stage: WTC Final at Lord’s
- The highly anticipated WTC Final is set to commence on Wednesday, June 11, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
- Australia, having dominated much of the Test calendar, come into the match as slight favorites. However, South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma and featuring a potent pace attack spearheaded by Rabada, are not far behind.
- This final not only marks the culmination of a two-year cycle of high-stakes cricket but also represents a chance for redemption and legacy-building — particularly for players like Cummins, who narrowly missed lifting the trophy in the inaugural edition.
- Kagiso Rabada recently found himself embroiled in controversy after failing a drug test earlier in the year. Although cleared of intentional wrongdoing and handed a brief suspension, the issue has lingered in the public eye.
- While cricket boards and governing authorities have moved past it, the topic remains sensitive and could have served as ammunition for mind games on the field.
- However, Cummins’ outright dismissal of such tactics speaks volumes about his leadership and the culture he has cultivated in the Australian dressing room.
Kagiso Rabada: The Evolution of Australian Cricket Culture
Australia’s reputation in world cricket was once synonymous with aggressive sledging, psychological warfare, and hard-nosed tactics.
The likes of Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh built an intimidating legacy — one where no weakness was left unexploited.
That era took a hard turn after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. The fallout was severe: bans, resignations, and a nationwide reckoning that forced Cricket Australia to reevaluate its values.
Enter Pat Cummins. Since taking over the captaincy, Cummins has made it clear that his team would compete hard but fair. His comment about Rabada’s situation reinforces that message.
“That’s Not Our Style” – A Message to the Cricketing World
When Cummins says “I’d be surprised if that came up,” it’s more than just a deflection. It’s a firm stance on how the modern Australian team wants to be perceived.
Respect for opponents, focus on skill, and distancing from cheap shots — these are the pillars of Cummins’ reign as captain.
It also sends a signal to younger players and fans that sledging or personal attacks, particularly ones involving sensitive off-field matters, are no longer tolerated as part of “gamesmanship.”
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Psychological Edge or Distraction?
While the temptation to play mind games is always present in high-stakes matches, the best teams know when to draw the line. Using off-field incidents can backfire — igniting a player rather than unsettling him.
Rabada is known for his fiery temperament and has, in the past, responded to criticism with match-winning performances. Trying to rattle him now, especially on such a visible stage as Lord’s, might only serve to motivate him further.
Cummins and his team seem well aware of this possibility, and rather than take that risk, they’re sticking to their plan: controlled aggression, tactical execution, and trusting their cricketing skill.
Rabada vs. Cummins: A Battle of Generals
- While they operate on opposite sides, Cummins and Rabada are strikingly similar in their roles — fast bowling leaders, strike weapons, and now central characters in this WTC Final storyline.
- Both have faced adversity in their careers. Both have overcome injuries, public scrutiny, and the weight of national expectations.
- And now, they are leading their respective sides into one of the biggest Test matches in recent memory.
- This battle, though subtle, could define the direction and tempo of the final. Who will strike early? Who will lead by example when the chips are down?
- Cricket fans may come to Lord’s hoping for drama, iconic moments, and maybe even a touch of controversy — but what they will likely get is a clash between two sides who are as hungry for glory as they are committed to fair play.
- Cummins’ words may not end all sledging, but they do help push cricket in a more respectful direction.
- His leadership — particularly in moments like these — offers a model that other captains around the world can draw from.
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