Australia, England Dominate Early WTC Standings; India Eyes Comeback After Opening Defeat

World Test Championship: Australia and England Lead as India Seeks Recovery

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with intense competition, and the initial standings are already taking shape after three Test series. Australia and England have quickly risen to the top, while India and the West Indies are looking to gain momentum.

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 first and second positions in the WTC table, both with a perfect 100 points percentage after securing victories in their opening matches. Sri Lanka currently sits third after winning one match and drawing another in their two-match series against Bangladesh, who are placed fourth with a draw and a loss.

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

India's first match did not go as planned, despite a valiant effort at Headingley. Although the team had five centurions, they ultimately suffered a defeat as England completed a dramatic chase, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Chasing a target of 371, England capitalized on a strong opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley. Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith then sealed the victory with an unbeaten partnership. India, led by Shubman Gill, were left to regret a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Following the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but failed to seize them. He mentioned that the team aimed for a more significant lead, but a lack of runs from the lower order hindered their plans.

India will now shift their focus to the second Test at Edgbaston, with the hope of a swift comeback to revitalize their WTC campaign. As it stands, they are positioned near the bottom of the table, alongside the West Indies.

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