WTC Standings Update: Australia Leads, India Seeks Rebound After Opening Loss

World Test Championship 2025-27: Early Standings Take Shape, India Looks to Rebound

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with thrilling action, as three Test series have already begun to define the nascent standings. While Australia and England have surged ahead, India and the West Indies are aiming to recover lost ground.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins leads this team off the pitch after defeating West Indies (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Australia and England currently hold the top two positions in the WTC table, each boasting a perfect 100% points percentage after securing victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka follows in third place after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with a win and a draw. Bangladesh, having recorded a draw and a loss, are positioned fourth.

Meanwhile, South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan, including the reigning champions, are yet to commence their WTC campaigns in this cycle.

India's opening match did not unfold as desired, despite a commendable effort at Headingley. The team had five centurions in the match but ultimately faced defeat as England executed a remarkable chase to secure a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Chasing a target of 371, England capitalized on a dominant opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley, while Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith steered the chase to victory with an unbroken partnership. The Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, were left to lament a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Speaking after the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to seize them. He mentioned that the team was aiming for a larger lead, but a lack of runs from the lower order hindered their plans.

India will now shift their focus to the second Test at Edgbaston, with hopes of a swift recovery to revitalize their WTC campaign. As it stands, however, they are positioned near the bottom of the table, alongside the West Indies.

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