New Delhi, The position of India in the current cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) is becoming increasingly complex. Fluctuating performances in recent matches, the loss of wickets at crucial moments, and the unavailability of fast bowlers have further weakened the team’s hopes of advancing in the points table. Given the current circumstances, the race for the WTC final appears even more difficult for India than before.

After a 0-2 clean sweep by World Test Champion South Africa, India has slipped below Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. Pakistan is in fourth place with 50% points, while India has dropped to fifth place with 48.15% points.

South Africa bundled out India for 140 runs in the second innings and registered a victory by 408 runs. This was India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in Test cricket. With this win, the African team has strengthened its position at number two in the WTC points table.

7 wins needed in 9 Tests to reach the final India is scheduled to play 18 Tests in this WTC cycle. The team has played 9 and has 9 Test matches remaining. India has 48.15% percentage points.

Looking at the previous WTC cycle, typically 55%-65% points are required to reach the final. This means India will need at least 6 or 7 wins in the remaining 9 Tests. Drawing some matches could also benefit India, but losing more than 3 matches would eliminate the team. Player fitness, stable batting, early success with the new ball, and correct decisions under pressure—these are the factors on which India’s future WTC journey will depend.
If the team shows improvement in these areas, a comeback in the final race is still possible. However, the current situation indicates that the WTC final has become a difficult goal for India, standing at a distance.

World Test Championship

The World Test Championship is the premier international competition for Test cricket, established by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give the longest format of the game greater context and a pinnacle event. It was first launched in 2019, creating a league structure where teams earn points from a series of Test matches over a two-year cycle, culminating in a final to crown the world champion. New Zealand won the inaugural final in 2021, defeating India.

ICC World Test Championship

The ICC World Test Championship is an international cricket competition launched in 2019 to bring greater context and significance to Test match series. It operates on a league system, where the top two teams in the points table compete in a final to crown the official world champion in the longest format of the game.

WTC

The World Trade Center (WTC) was a complex in Lower Manhattan, originally built in the 1970s and famously destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The site, now known as the World Trade Center, has been rebuilt and serves as a memorial and a new commercial hub, anchored by the One World Trade Center skyscraper.