New Delhi: Team India is gearing up to return to the field after an extended break, with a crucial two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home starting on 19 September. This series holds significant importance for India’s prospects in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC), where the team aims to secure a spot in the finals once more. The Indian side reached the final in the previous two editions of the WTC but fell short on both occasions. The latest update from the International Cricket Council (ICC) reveals how strong India’s chances are this time around.
Currently, Team India sits atop the points table of the World Test Championship 2023-25. Out of the nine matches played, India has won six, lost two, and drawn one, accumulating a win percentage of 68.52%. With ten Test matches remaining in the current cycle — five at home and five away — India can potentially reach a maximum of 85.09% points if they win all the upcoming matches. However, such a feat is challenging.
Key Matches on the Road Ahead
In the remaining matches, India will play two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand on home soil. This will be followed by a five-Test series away in Australia. If India secures victories in all five home Tests, it will reach a points percentage of 79.76%, a total likely sufficient to book a place in the final. As it stands, Team India is considered a strong contender to reach the championship’s final round.
Meanwhile, reigning WTC champions Australia face a tougher road to the final. Australia has seven matches left — five against India and two at home against Sri Lanka. If they manage to win all these fixtures, they could reach a maximum of 76.32% points. New Zealand, with eight Test matches remaining, could still reach 78.57% points, potentially overtaking Australia in the rankings.
Slim Chances for Other Teams
For other teams, the path to the final appears increasingly narrow. Bangladesh could reach a maximum of 72.92% points, while Sri Lanka can achieve up to 69.23%. England (57.95%), South Africa (69.44%), Pakistan (59.52%), and the West Indies (43.59%) all have an uphill battle to make it to the final, with slim chances given the current standings.
With the stakes high, the coming months promise a thrilling finish to the World Test Championship, as Team India, Australia, and New Zealand vie for a coveted spot in the final.
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