Naman Garg
Ahead of a crucial upcoming period, we take a look at 5 teams which are in the race to feature in next year’s ICC World Test Championship final.
- India – 71.67% of possible points
Best possible finish: 85.09%
India, the two-time finalists, currently lead the WTC standings with 68.52% of possible points. As one of the top contenders to secure a spot in the final at Lord’s, they will be determined to break their run of near misses. After falling short in the 2021 and 2023 Finals, Rohit Sharma’s men will be driven by a strong desire to finally claim the title this time around. They kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 series victory over the West Indies, with the second match of the two-Test series ending in a rain-affected draw. Their tour of South Africa presented a formidable challenge, particularly after they fell behind 1-0 in the opening Test. However, India displayed remarkable resilience, fighting back to level the two-match series at 1-1. On home soil, where India are nearly unbeatable, which they prove against Ben stokes bazball approach by defeating England 4-1.
In the opening Test of the series against Bangladesh in Chennai, India recorded their biggest victory by runs (280) against their neighbours, further reinforcing their dominance at home. They now have the opportunity to solidify their position for a WTC25 Final spot before their highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. However, the outcome of this series could ultimately determine which teams claim the coveted top two spots.
- Australia – 62.5 % of possible points
Best possible finish: 76.32%
Reigning World Test Championship holders Australia are on track for a second consecutive Final appearance. Under Pat Cummins, the already formidable Australian side has been transformed into a team of serial winners, and they will be hungry for more silverware to add to their collection. Australia began the current WTC cycle with a five-match series against their arch-rivals, England. They clinched victories in the first two Tests, both of which were nail-biting encounters, and secured a draw in the third. However, they were defeated in the final two matches by a spirited England side. Returning to home turf, Australia dominated Pakistan with a 3-0 series sweep earlier this year, followed by a win against the West Indies. However, a Shamar Joseph special breached the Gabba and the Aussies as the hosts fell to defeat in the second Test of the series. Australia quickly bounced back with a 2-0 victory over their Trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand, securing the second spot in the standings.
- Sri Lanka-50 %
Best possible finish: 69.32%
A head-turning victory over England in the third Test in England and a thrilling win at home against New Zealand meant Sri Lanka could make a push for a spot in the WTC Final. Leapfrogging England and New Zealand to move to fourth, the Islanders will play three of their remaining five matches of the cycle at home. While they take on tough opponents in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, there is an opportunity to steal points from these series. Their spin attack will come in handy at home, though the fast bowlers at Dhananjaya de Silva’s disposal have also proved to be effective, and will be crucial in an away tour of South Africa.
- England- 41.07%
Best possible finish: 57.95%
The shock loss to Sri Lanka in the third Test of their recent series at The Oval has put a huge dent in England’s hopes of reaching next year’s final, but there is still some hope for Ben Stokes’ side. With six Tests still to play – all away from home against Pakistan and then New Zealand – England have the opportunity to finish with as much as 57.95%, which would give them a chance of qualifying. They will need other results to go their way though, with the battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and England at the end of this year sure to be a series that England will be keeping a close eye on. If England fail to pick up maximum points from their remaining six Tests then it is going to be difficult for them to qualify.
- South Africa- 38.89%
Best possible finish: 69.44%
The Proteas well and truly remain in the hunt despite setbacks against India and New Zealand in their first two WTC 2023-25 series. While South Africa couldn’t hold the advantage of a 1-0 lead against India, as Rohit Sharma’s side ended up drawing the series, a weak line-up fared even poorer in New Zealand, losing to the Black Caps for the first-ever time in Men’s Tests. Their recent rendezvous against West Indies in the Caribbean was thus a relief for Temba Bavuma’s men, with a 1-0 win giving them a much-needed WTC boost. The upcoming set of match-ups isn’t the worst from South Africa’s perspective. They have enough batting and spin-bowling talent in their ranks to overcome Bangladesh away, while their home ventures are with Asian sides against whom they’ve seen recent success in familiar conditions.
