WTC Standings: Australia's Win Shifts Landscape - Where Does India Stand After Opening Defeat?

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with intense competition, as evidenced by the outcomes of the initial three Test series. While Australia and England have established themselves as frontrunners, India and West Indies are faced with the challenge of regaining momentum.

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

Australia and England currently hold the top two positions in the WTC standings, both with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their respective opening matches. Sri Lanka is in third place after completing their two-match series against Bangladesh with one win and one draw. Bangladesh, with one draw and one loss, is positioned fourth.

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

India's first match did not unfold as anticipated, despite a commendable effort at Headingley. Although the team had five centurions in the match, they ultimately suffered a defeat as England successfully chased the target, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Chasing a target of 371, England's innings was anchored by a formidable 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. Team India, led by Shubman Gill, was left to lament a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Speaking after the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. He mentioned that India had hoped for a larger lead but were hampered by a lack of runs from the lower order.

India will now concentrate on the second Test at Edgbaston, aiming for a swift recovery to keep their WTC campaign viable. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table, alongside West Indies.

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