 "The Indian team is currently placed third in the WTC standings. Image: AFP")
India and South Africa are all set to lock horns against each other in a two-match Test series starting from November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Ahead of the promising series, let’s take a look at the current state of play of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.
Both India and South Africa are placed in the top half of the standings, with Australia leading the table after a perfect start.
Australia remain the team to beat
Australia have made a flying start to their WTC campaign after losing to South Africa in last edition’s final. They have won all three of their Tests so far to hold a 100 percent points percentage. They began their campaign with a clean sweep over the West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year. Australia will next face England in a five-match Ashes series.
India in solid position before key home challenge
India are currently in third place in the WTC standings with a 61.90 percent points percentage after an encouraging start to the cycle. They drew 2-2 in England and followed that with a clean sweep over the West Indies at home. Shubman Gill has been India’s standout performer with 946 runs, while Mohammed Siraj leads the bowling charts with 33 wickets.
South Africa aim to build momentum
South Africa, placed fourth with a 50 percent points percentage, showed positive signs when they drew their opening series against Pakistan. The Proteas will now look to carry that momentum into the two-match series against India. Any points picked up in India will be vital for their campaign before they move on to face Sri Lanka.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSri Lanka quietly in contention
Sri Lanka are sitting in second place in the standings with 66.67 percent points after a 1-0 series win over Bangladesh earlier this year. Pathum Nissanka has been their most consistent batter with 369 runs, while Tharindu Ratnayake has taken nine wickets. They will face Pakistan and the West Indies in upcoming series.
England, Pakistan look for consistency
England, placed sixth with 43.33 percent, and Pakistan, fifth with 50 percent, are both searching for consistency. England drew their opening series 2-2 against India at home. Pakistan, meanwhile, split a two-match home series against South Africa.
Bangladesh, West Indies and New Zealand yet to fire
Bangladesh have earned their first points with a draw in Sri Lanka but remain seventh with a 16.67 percent points percentage. The West Indies and New Zealand are yet to get off the mark. Both these teams will face each other and look to get their first win.
ICC World Test Championship standings
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Ded | Points | PCT (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 3 | India | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 61.90 |
| 4 | South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.00 |
| 6 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 43.33 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 8 | West Indies | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 9 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |