The 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) marks the fourth edition of the prestigious Test cricket tournament. It continues to serve as the pinnacle of red-ball cricket, providing a structured league system to determine the world’s best Test team.
- Duration: June 2025 to June 2027
- Format: Round-robin league followed by a grand final between the top two teams
- Participants: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies
- Points System:
- Win – 12 points
- Tie – 6 points
- Draw – 4 points
- Loss – 0 points
- Ranking Criteria: Teams are ranked based on the Percentage of Points Won (PCT), ensuring fairness regardless of how many matches each team plays.
- Final Venue: Lord’s, England, June 2027
The championship rewards consistency, discipline, and adaptability across all playing conditions — from fast pitches in Australia to turning tracks in the subcontinent.
ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 Points Table (Current Standings)
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | T | D | N/R | PT | PCT (%) | Form / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 | W W W |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 | D W |
| 3 | India | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 61.90 | L D W W W |
| 4 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 43.33 | W L W D L |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 | D L |
| 6 | West Indies | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | L L L L L |
| 7 | New Zealand | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Yet to start |
| 8 | Pakistan | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Yet to start |
| 9 | South Africa | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Yet to start |
M: Matches Played | W: Wins | L: Losses | T: Ties | D: Draws | N/R: No Result | PT: Points | PCT: Percentage of Points Won Standings are updated after the completion of each Test match.
Key Highlights and Analysis
- Australia has made a flawless start, winning all their matches and leading the table with a 100% PCT.
- Sri Lanka has shown early promise with one win and one draw, maintaining a strong second place.
- India remains in contention for the top two spots after securing four wins in seven matches.
- England has shown mixed results with two wins and two losses, sitting mid-table with 43.33% PCT.
- West Indies continue to struggle, having lost all five matches so far.
- New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa are yet to begin their campaigns but are expected to start soon in upcoming series.
Upcoming Series to Watch
- Australia vs England (The Ashes) – Always a high-stakes contest that can reshape the table.
- India vs South Africa – A crucial series affecting both teams’ qualification chances.
- Pakistan vs England – Key for both sides aiming to break into the top four.
- New Zealand vs West Indies – Opportunity for both to gain early momentum.
These series will play a vital role in deciding who reaches the WTC Final at Lord’s in 2027.
How the WTC Standings Work
The World Test Championship standings are based on the Percentage of Points (PCT) earned rather than total points. This ensures fairness, as not all teams play the same number of matches or series.
Tiebreakers are decided by:
- Number of series wins
- Percentage of points in away matches
- ICC Test team rankings (as of a cutoff date)
This system rewards consistent performance, both home and away, across the two-year cycle.
Challenges and Impact Factors
- Over-rate penalties: Teams can lose points for slow over rates. For example, England lost WTC points due to over-rate violations.
- Drawn Tests: Weather interruptions and defensive play often result in draws, affecting points accumulation.
- Injury management: With packed schedules, maintaining player fitness will be crucial for long-term success.
- Varied conditions: Adapting to different pitches and climates remains a decisive factor in Test cricket.
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