The World Test Championship Final may be one of the biggest fixtures in the modern cricket calendar, but former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels it’s still in its early days when it comes to global popularity. And that’s why, according to him, Lord’s remains the most fitting venue—at least for now.
Speaking to Wisden, Shastri said the iconic London ground helps draw attention to the contest, even when England aren’t involved. He believes that once the fixture grows in popularity, venues like Ahmedabad and Melbourne could step in to host future editions.
“I think to start off initially, it’s good if it’s here (Lord’s) actually. Once it gets the popularity and eyebrows it deserves, then it can start shifting. But I think the MCG can be a great place for a World Test Championship Final. Ahmedabad can be a great place for the WTC Final. Basically, the places where you can draw a crowd. Because Lord’s is not a 100,000-seater stadium. So, irrespective of which team is playing, you know you will get a good crowd,” Shastri said.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is reportedly set to host the next three WTC Finals through 2031, having already received verbal confirmation from the ICC. While India had expressed interest in hosting the final, England’s consistent ability to attract crowds—even for neutral Tests—worked in its favour.
Lord’s recently hosted the 2025 final between South Africa and Australia, and also remains the most high-profile venue to host a WTC title clash. The inaugural edition was played in 2021 between India and New Zealand in Southampton under Covid-19 restrictions. The 2023 final took place at The Oval.
Australian captain Pat Cummins had earlier proposed a rotating host system, suggesting the defending champions should get hosting rights—a suggestion that is still up for debate as the ICC weighs long-term plans for the WTC.
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