Significant changes have occurred in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table following the match between South Africa and Australia in Durban. Australia defeated the host team by 214 runs, thereby winning the first place in the three-match series. This victory strengthened Australia's position at the top of the table, while defending champion South Africa dropped to third place.
Australia registered its ninth win in the current WTC cycle out of 11 played matches. The team has accumulated 108 points, and its Percentage of Points System (PCT) reached 81.82%. New Zealand, with four wins, one loss, and one draw in six matches, occupies second place with a score of 72.22%.
South Africa faced its second defeat in five matches, accumulating 36 points and having a PCT of 60%, which led to its drop from second to third place. Bangladesh took fourth place, earning 40 points in six matches (three wins, two losses, and one draw) with a PCT of 55.56%.
How did Australia's victory affect India?
Following Australia's triumph, the Indian team's position in the tournament table remained unchanged. India is in fifth place, with 68 points and a 51.52% PCT after 11 matches, including a recent 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the Test series. This result did not give India an immediate advantage in the rankings, as despite South Africa's decrease in percentage points, India still lags behind Bangladesh, which is in fourth place. Therefore, the Indian team needs to secure victories in upcoming games to improve its standing.
Overall tournament table from England to Pakistan
England is in sixth place with 74 points and a 38.54% PCT after 16 matches (seven wins, eight losses, and one draw), although 14 points were deducted due to a speed fine. Sri Lanka is in seventh place, with 24 points and a 33.33% PCT after six matches (one win, two losses, and three draws). West Indies is in eighth place with 30 points and a 20.83% PCT after 12 matches (two wins, eight losses, and two draws), also receiving two penalty points. Pakistan occupies the last, ninth place, with only 5 points and a 4.63% PCT after nine matches (two wins and seven losses), having received nine penalty points.
Can India qualify for the WTC final?
India has 7 Test matches remaining before the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final. India's chances of reaching the final depend on the results of the remaining games. India is scheduled to play two Tests against New Zealand at home, as well as a five-match series against Australia at their home stadium.
To qualify for the final, India will require not only a win but also dependence on the results of other teams. In the WTC, qualification is determined not by the total number of points, but by the PCT. A win awards 12 points, a draw awards 4, and a draw with equal points awards 6. The two best teams at the end of the league stage will proceed to the final.
If India wins all its remaining matches, it will reach a PCT of 70.37%, which is a very strong indicator for participation in the final. In this WTC 2025-27 cycle, India has 7 matches left to play: 2 against New Zealand and 5 against Australia.
Requirements for India
To remain in the race for the final, India must win at least 6 of these 7 matches. If India wins all 7 matches, it can qualify for the final regardless of the results of other teams. The PCT formula is calculated as: PCT = (Points earned by the team / Total points earned in all matches) * 100. A total of 18 matches will be played (11 played + 7 remaining), yielding a maximum of 216 points. With the current 68 points and a win in all 7 remaining matches (an additional 84 points), the total score will be 152 points, corresponding to a PCT of 70.37%.
Previously, in the 2021-2023 cycle, the Indian team finished second with a PCT of 58.80%, while the leader Australia had a PCT of 66.67%, and both teams qualified for the final. In the 2023-2025 cycle, South Africa's leader had a PCT of 69.44%, and Australia had 67.54%, which also allowed India to contend for a spot in the final.
Impact of Australia's victories
If India wins all its 7 matches, Australia will have to lose five matches. However, if Australia wins all its remaining six matches, its PCT could reach 68.8%, surpassing India's figure. Thus, Australia's victory over South Africa may prove unfavorable for India, as it strengthened Australia's position and complicated India's path to the final.
Advantage from South Africa's victories
If South Africa wins all its remaining 9 matches, its maximum PCT could reach 85.71%.