World Test Championship Winners List (2019-2025), South Africa Lift the Trophy

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a premier biennial Test cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Launched in 2019, the WTC adds context, competitiveness, and global significance to the longest and most traditional format of the game: Test cricket.

WTC Winners List: Year-Wise Champions

Cycle	Winner	Runner-Up	Result	Venue
2019–2021	New Zealand	India	Won by 8 wickets	Rose Bowl, Southampton
2021–2023	Australia	India	Won by 209 runs	The Oval, London
2023–2025	South Africa	Australia	Won by 5 Wickets	Lord’s, London

Overview of the ICC World Test Championship

What is the WTC?

The WTC is a two-year tournament cycle designed to determine the world’s best Test team. It features a league stage followed by a final, pitting the top two teams in the standings against each other. The format has successfully revived interest in Test cricket globally.

Tournament Format

• Format: League Stage + Final
• Participants: 9 Full-member ICC Nations
• Match Format: Test cricket (5-day matches)

Points System:

1. Win: 12 points
2. Tie: 6 points each
3. Draw: 4 points each
4. Loss: 0 points

Ranking Basis: Percentage of points won

Detailed History of Each WTC Cycle

1. Inaugural Edition (2019–2021)

The first-ever WTC began with the 2019 Ashes series. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting fixtures in 2020, the tournament resumed with strict health protocols. New Zealand became the first-ever WTC champions, defeating India in a rain-hit final held at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

Key Highlights:

• Player of the Match: Kyle Jamieson
• Captain: Kane Williamson

2. Second Edition (2021–2023)

The second cycle kicked off with the England–India Test series in August 2021. The ICC introduced a revised points system to address imbalances due to COVID-affected series. Australia clinched their first WTC title, outplaying India at The Oval, London in June 2023.

Key Highlights:

• Player of the Match: Travis Head (scored a century)
• Captain: Pat Cummins

3. Current Cycle (2023–2025)

The ongoing edition of the WTC began on June 16, 2023, with the Ashes series between England and Australia. The final will take place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in June 2025, where Australia is set to face South Africa.

Upcoming WTC Final 2025: Key Details

• Final Match: Australia vs South Africa
• Venue: Lord’s, London
• Dates: June 11–15, 2025
• Administrator: International Cricket Council
• Significance: This will mark the third WTC final and is set to be a highly anticipated event, highlighting the prestige of red-ball cricket.

Next Cycle (2025–2027): The Road Ahead

The fourth edition of the World Test Championship will run from June 2025 to June 2027, culminating again in a final at Lord’s.

Structure and Format

• Total Matches: 71
• Series Count: 27
• Each Team Plays: 6 series (3 home, 3 away)
• Match Count per Series: 2–5 Tests

Participating Teams

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• England
• India
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies

Points System (unchanged from previous cycles)

• Win: 12 points
• Draw: 4 points
• Tie: 6 points
• Loss: 0 points
• Ranking Metric: Percentage of points won
• India’s WTC 2025–2027 Schedule

India is looking to bounce back after missing out on the finals in the 2023–2025 cycle. Their campaign starts with a high-voltage Test series in England.

India’s Full Series List

Opponent	Venue	Schedule
England	Away	June 20 – Aug 4, 2025
West Indies	Home	October 2025 (TBD)
South Africa	Home	Nov–Dec 2025 (TBD)
Sri Lanka	Away	August 2026 (TBD)
New Zealand	Away	Oct–Nov 2026 (TBD)
Australia	Home	Jan–Feb 2027 (TBD)

England Series 2025: Full Fixtures

• 1st Test: June 20–24, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
• 2nd Test: July 2–6, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
• 3rd Test: July 10–14, 2025 – Lord’s, London
• 4th Test: July 23–27, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
• 5th Test: July 31–Aug 4, 2025 – The Oval, London

Australia’s WTC 2025–2027 Campaign Starts in West Indies

Initial Test Series

Date	Venue	Match
June 25, 2025	Bridgetown	1st Test: AUS vs WI
July 3, 2025	St. George’s	2nd Test: AUS vs WI
July 12, 2025	Kingston	3rd Test: AUS vs WI

Looking Forward to the WTC Final 2027

The grand finale of the 2025–2027 WTC is scheduled for June 2027, again at Lord’s Cricket Ground, continuing the tradition of hosting the game’s biggest red-ball showdown at the iconic venue.