India's WTC Hopes Dented After Australia's Strong Start: Latest Standings Analysis

Sunday - 20/07/2025 05:01

The new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle has commenced with Australia and England leading with a perfect PCT of 100. Sri Lanka follows after their series against Bangladesh. India, despite Shubman Gill's team's impressive fight and five centurions, suffered a loss to England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to a middle-order collapse.

World Test Championship 2025-27: Where Does India Stand After Australia's Dominant Start?

The new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with considerable excitement, as teams vie for supremacy in the longest format of the game. Three Test series have already provided a glimpse into the potential contenders, with some surprising results emerging.

While Australia and England have established themselves as early frontrunners, India and West Indies are under pressure to regroup and improve their standing.

Current standings of the World Test Championship

Australia and England currently hold the top two positions in the WTC table, both with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka is in third place after their two-match series against Bangladesh, with one win and one draw. Bangladesh, with a draw and a loss, are placed fourth.

Team India Prepares for Second Test at Edgbaston

Meanwhile, teams like South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan are yet to commence their WTC campaigns.

India's campaign faced an unexpected setback despite a strong showing at Headingley. Although the team had five centurions, they suffered a defeat, allowing England to secure a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

England successfully chased down a target of 371, driven by an impressive opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley, and a solid unbroken partnership by Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith. India was left to ponder a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Following the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. He mentioned that the team aimed for a larger lead, but a lack of runs from the lower order affected their plans.

India is now focused on the second Test at Edgbaston, seeking to recover and rejuvenate their WTC campaign. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table along with West Indies.

The WTC cycle began with Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh on June 17 and will continue until the final in 2027.