What India must do to reclaim No. 1 spot in WTC 2025-27 points table?
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India brought back their WTC campaign on track with a magnificent victory at Galle.
India have traditionally been one of the strongest teams in Test history over the last two decades and have reached the ICC World Test Championship finals twice in 2021 and 2023. However, after failing to qualify for the 2025 WTC final, their start to the 2025-27 cycle has been quite difficult as well.
The two-time runners-up of the ICC World Test Championship have suffered defeats against England and South Africa in this WTC cycle, including a 2-0 whitewash against the Proteas in a home series, leaving very little room for any further losses.
India revived their campaign with a commanding 165-run victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. With this win, the Shubman Gill-led Indian side took their tally to five victories and improved their PCT from 48.15 to 53.33%.
Despite the improvement, India remain in fifth place on the points table and are significantly behind Australia, who currently lead the table with 77.78%.
The Galle victory is considered significant in India’s triumph to glory, as they have made a positive start to their nine remaining games in the WTC cycle. India now have eight games left, one against Sri Lanka, two against New Zealand and five against Australia.
Scenarios India need to reclaim the No. 1 position
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Win all remaining Tests
The clearest path for India to reach the top of the WTC points table is to win all 8 of their remaining matches in this WTC cycle.
That would hand India 160 points, giving them a maximum PCT of 74.07% and a fair chance to finish at the top of the points table. India will also have to avoid situations such as draws and points being deducted due to penalties.
Clean Sweep in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Australia, the table toppers of the WTC 2025-27 cycle, are scheduled to play a 5-match series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
A 5-0 clean sweep against Australia could not only give India the lead but also push Australia significantly behind, leaving them well below India’s maximum PCT of 74.07%, even if they do not suffer any other defeats.
Beat Sri Lanka and New Zealand
Other than the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India needs to win the remaining matches of their tour to Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
New Zealand sit above India on the WTC points table with a PCT of 72.22%, and a defeat at the hands of India could impact their chances of finishing at the top.
India need rivals to drop points
Apart from Australia and New Zealand, India will also have to overtake South Africa and Bangladesh to reach the top of the WTC points table. They do not have any matches scheduled against India.
South Africa, currently at 75%, and Bangladesh, at 66.67%, need at least three and two defeats, respectively, to favour India’s qualification to the top of the WTC points table.
Did India ever finish at the top of the WTC points table?
Yes, India finished at the top of the league stage of the ICC WTC points table in its inaugural season in 2019-21.
Who is India’s leading run-scorer in WTC history?
Rishabh Pant is currently India’s leading run-getter in WTC history, with Shubman Gill following him.
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Subhomoy Datta has been a sports writer since 2022. He holds a BSc in Microbiology from Rastraguru Surendranath College, WBSU, and is currently pursuing his master’s at NIT Surathkal. With a growing interest in sports journalism, he enjoys following the game closely and turning sporting moments into stories for fans.