Australia, England Set Early Pace in WTC 2025-27; India Seeks Rebound After Opening Defeat

Wednesday - 23/07/2025 07:09

The new World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle has commenced with Australia and England leading with a perfect PCT of 100. Sri Lanka follows after their series against Bangladesh. India, despite Shubman Gill's team's impressive fight and five centurions, suffered a loss to England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy due to a middle-order collapse.

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with intense competition, as teams vie for dominance in the early stages. Following the initial Test series, Australia and England have emerged as frontrunners, while India and the West Indies are aiming to recover lost ground.

*Current WTC standings of all teams*

Australia and England have secured the top two positions in the WTC standings, both with a perfect 100% points percentage after triumphant victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka currently holds the third position after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with a win and a draw. Bangladesh, with a draw and a loss, is positioned fourth.

Pat Cummins leads Australia after victory

*Australian captain Pat Cummins leading his team off the field after their victory over the West Indies.*

Several teams, including the reigning champions South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan, are yet to begin their WTC campaigns in this cycle.

Despite a valiant effort at Headingley, India's opening match did not yield the desired outcome. Although the team boasted five centurions, they ultimately faced defeat as England executed a remarkable chase to secure a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

England successfully chased down a target of 371, propelled by a formidable opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley. Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith then guided the chase to victory with an unbroken partnership. India's Shubman Gill and his team were left to lament a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Following the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. He indicated that the team had aimed for a more substantial lead, but a lack of runs from the lower order hindered their ambitions.

India is now shifting its focus to the second Test at Edgbaston, with hopes of a swift recovery to revitalize their WTC campaign. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table, alongside the West Indies.

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