Australia, England Dominate Early WTC Standings as India Seeks Rebound After Setback

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has commenced with intense competition, with Australia and England emerging as early frontrunners while India and West Indies aim to regain ground.

Australia and England currently hold the top two positions in the WTC standings, both with a perfect points percentage of 100 after securing victories in their respective opening matches. Sri Lanka follows in third place after concluding their two-match series against Bangladesh with a win and a draw. Bangladesh is positioned fourth with a draw and a loss.

Three teams, including reigning champions South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan, are yet to begin their WTC campaigns this cycle.

India's campaign faced an unexpected setback despite a valiant effort at Headingley. Although the team boasted five centurions, they suffered a defeat as England successfully chased down the target, gaining a 1-0 lead in the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

England's victory was propelled by a strong opening partnership between Ben Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley, while Joe Root and debutant Jamie Smith steered the chase with an unbeaten partnership. India's Shubman Gill's team faced challenges with a middle-order collapse and costly dropped catches.

Following the match, Gill acknowledged that India had opportunities but couldn't capitalize on them. He mentioned that the team aimed for a larger lead but were hampered by a lack of runs from the lower order.

India is now preparing for the second Test at Edgbaston, seeking a quick recovery to revitalize their WTC campaign. Currently, they are positioned near the bottom of the table alongside West Indies.

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