India's WTC 2025-27 Hopes Dented: Where They Stand After Australia's Win Over West Indies

Saturday - 28/06/2025 06:10

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.

WTC 2025-27: Examining India's Position After Australia's Victory Over West Indies

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with intense competition, with three Test series already influencing the standings. While Australia and England have emerged as early frontrunners, India and West Indies are aiming to regain momentum.

Pat Cummins leads Australia after defeating West Indies

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 with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their initial matches. Sri Lanka is in third place after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with one win and one draw. Bangladesh, having experienced a draw and a loss, is positioned fourth.

Team India’s Intense Nets at Edgbaston| Prep for 2nd Test vs England

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

India's first match did not unfold as anticipated, despite demonstrating resilience at Headingley. The team witnessed five centurions in the match but ultimately faced defeat as England executed a remarkable chase, gaining a 1-0 advantage in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Facing a target of 371, England capitalized on a formidable 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. India, led by Shubman Gill, was left to regret a middle-order collapse and missed catches that proved decisive.

Following the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to seize them. He revealed that India had aimed for a more substantial lead but were hampered by insufficient runs from the lower order.

India will now shift their attention to the second Test at Edgbaston, aiming for a swift recovery to sustain their WTC campaign. Presently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table alongside West Indies.

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