WTC 2025-27: Qualification scenarios of all 9 teams explained
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Australia continue to lead the WTC points table despite one home Test defeat against Bangladesh.
The ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 (WTC) race has entered the most intriguing phase following the conclusion of the India tour of Sri Lanka. India won the series 1-0 following their win at Galle; however, the second Test in Colombo ended in a draw.
They ended the two-match Test series with 16 points, and the result has significantly altered the qualification scenario in the race to the WTC 2027 finals.
While the WTC is decided by points percentage (PCT) rather than total points, every result carries considerable importance.
Historically, teams have needed a PCT above 60 to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the WTC final. In the current scenario, Australia lead the standings with a stunning PCT of 80%, and are followed by South Africa and New Zealand, who also have their PCTs well over 70 and hence have a high chance of qualifying for the WTC final.
WTC points table at the end of SL vs Ind, Colombo SSC
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT |
| Aus | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 96 | 80.00% |
| SA | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 75.00% |
| NZ | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 72.22% |
| BAN | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 55.56% |
| IND | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 68 | 51.52% |
| SL | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 24 | 33.33% |
| ENG | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 50 | 29.76% |
| WI | 12 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 30 | 20.83% |
| PAK | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 19.05% |
Team-wise WTC 2025-27 Qualification scenarios
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Australia – 80% PCT
Australia remain the strongest contender to qualify for yet another WTC final. They played the last two WTC finals in 2023 and 2025 and won their maiden WTC title in 2023. They have a PCT of 80% and have 12 matches left in this WTC cycle.
With three Tests against South Africa, four against New Zealand, and five against India remaining, six wins and a draw would keep their PCT above 65%, and seven wins and a draw could put them well above 70%, which should make them the strongest contender for a spot in the WTC final.
South Africa – 75% PCT
South Africa have eight of their remaining Tests at home, which is their biggest advantage. They will face Australia, Bangladesh and England at home before travelling to Sri Lanka for an away series. Winning six matches can take them to 66.67%, while seven wins can keep them above 70%, handing them a chance to defend their title from 2025.
New Zealand – 72.22% PCT
New Zealand face India and Sri Lanka at home, while their away assignments are against Pakistan and Australia. Winning the two home series and at least two of their away Tests, they could finish well above 65%.
Seven wins out of their remaining ten matches would put them into the 70s and hand them a chance to make it to the WTC finals for the second time since their last win in the WTC final in 2021.
Bangladesh – 55.56% PCT
Bangladesh are enjoying their best position in the WTC cycle so far, and they have six matches remaining in this WTC: two Tests each against South Africa away and the West Indies and England at home.
To fancy their chances for the WTC final, they will have to manage at least four wins and two draws, which would take them to 66.67%.
India – 51.52% PCT
India’s remaining schedule is particularly demanding: two Tests against New Zealand away from home and a five-match home series against Australia.
Winning all seven can take India to 70.37% PCT, while one defeat would put them close to the 65% mark. However, a defeat in two matches would leave them with a PCT below 60, making them highly dependent on other results.
Sri Lanka – 33.33%
Sri Lanka to have two Tests away against Pakistan and New Zealand before hosting South Africa for another two-match series. A six-out-of-six win scenario can take the Lankans to a PCT of 66.67%, meaning that despite all wins, they would need another favourable combination of results from the other teams.
Teams like England, Pakistan and the West Indies do not stand a fair chance to reach the WTC finals, as they cannot manage a PCT over 60. These sides can manage up to 53.17, 56.41 and 32.14, respectively, which might not be suitable for qualification into the finals.
Which team has played the most WTC finals?
India (2021 and 2023) and Australia (2023 and 2025) have played the most ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals, appearing in 2 out of the 3 title clashes held so far.
Which team has finished multiple times at the top of the WTC points table?
No single team has finished at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
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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.