WTC 2025-27: Australia, England Dominate Early Standings; Where Does India Sit After Defeat?

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with considerable intensity, as three Test series have already begun to shape the tournament standings. While Australia and England have quickly ascended to the top, India and the West Indies find themselves in a position where they need to gain ground.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins leads his team off the pitch after defeating West Indies (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Australia and England currently hold the first and second positions in the WTC table, each with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka is in third place after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with a win and a draw. Bangladesh, following a draw and a loss, is placed fourth.

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

India's initial match did not unfold as planned, despite a commendable effort at Headingley. The team had five centurions in the match but ultimately suffered a loss, as England executed a remarkable chase to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Chasing a target of 371, England capitalized on a dominant 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 was left to lament a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

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

India will now shift their focus to the second Test at Edgbaston, with hopes of a swift recovery to keep their WTC campaign competitive. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table, alongside the West Indies.

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