WTC Standings: Australia and England Lead as India Seeks Recovery After Setback

Monday - 14/07/2025 04:00

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 a flurry of activity, as three Test series have already begun to define the emerging leaderboard. While Australia and England have made strong initial strides, India and the West Indies are looking to gain ground.

Early WTC standings after Australia's victory

*Australia's captain Pat Cummins leads his 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, each with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka is in third place after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with a win and a draw. Bangladesh, with one draw and one loss, is positioned fourth.

Team India prepares for the 2nd Test against England

*Team India’s Intense Nets at Edgbaston| Prep for 2nd Test vs England*

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

India faced an unexpected setback in their opening match despite a commendable effort at Headingley. The team had five centurions in the match but ultimately suffered a defeat as England executed a remarkable chase, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Chasing a target of 371, England capitalized on a dominant opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley. Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith then steered the chase to victory with an unbroken partnership. India, led by Shubman Gill, 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 mentioned that India aimed 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 revitalize their WTC campaign. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table alongside the West Indies.

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