India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been severely compromised after New Zealand inflicted a historic 0-3 series whitewash on them at home. This marks India’s first-ever series loss in such a manner on home soil, with the third Test ending in a 25-run defeat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
As a result, India has dropped to second place in the WTC standings with 58.33 percentage points (PCT), trailing Australia’s 62.50 PCT. India had dominated the WTC standings for most of the 2024-25 cycle, but their recent three consecutive losses have cost them their top spot. They now face a significant challenge in reclaiming their position, as several teams are closely competing.
New Zealand’s impressive series sweep has boosted their tally to 54.55 PCT, bringing them close to Sri Lanka’s third-place position with 55.56 PCT, a thin margin of just 1.01 PCT. The battle for the final spots in the championship has intensified after the India-New Zealand series. South Africa is also a strong contender, sitting fifth with 54.17 PCT. Four of the top five teams in the standings have their PCTs very close to each other, ranging between 54 and 59, which promises a thrilling finish as the championship cycle progresses.
Following the top five, England holds the sixth position with 40.79 PCT. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies round off the standings with 33.33, 27.50, and 18.52 PCT respectively. The close competition among the top teams adds to the excitement for cricket fans as the final leg of the WTC cycle approaches.
India’s defeat is a significant development in the race for the World Test Championship final. The top teams are very close in the standings, making the upcoming matches crucial. Fans can expect nail-biting games as teams vie for the coveted top positions. With Australia now leading and New Zealand swiftly climbing the ranks, every match will play a pivotal role in determining the finalists for this prestigious tournament.
