WTC 2025: India needs 7 wins to play the WTC final

From September 19, India has to play cricket continuously till the Champions Trophy next year. After this, IPL and then the final of the World Test Championship will be played.

India is currently the biggest contender to reach the WTC final. But for that, the team will have to win 7 out of the next 10 Tests. In these too, teams like New Zealand and Australia can increase India's difficulties. India lost the last 2 WTC finals against these 2 teams.

WTC points table.

Pos	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	Ded	Points	Pct
1	IND India	9	6	2	1	2	74	68.52%
2	AUS Australia	12	8	3	1	10	90	62.50%
3	NZ New Zealand	6	3	3	0	0	36	50.00%
4	SL Sri Lanka	4	2	2	0	0	24	50.00%
5	PAK Pakistan	5	2	3	0	2	22	36.66%
6	ENG England	13	6	6	1	19	57	36.54%
7	SA South Africa	5	1	3	1	0	16	26.67%
8	BAN Bangladesh	4	1	3	0	0	12	25.00%
9	WI West Indies	8	1	5	2	0	20	20.83%

Why is Australia below India despite having more points?

In WTC, teams get 12 points for a win, 4 for a draw and no point for a loss. Whereas in case of a tie, both teams get 6-6 points. A team has to play 6 series in a 2-year cycle, but the number of matches in every team's series is not fixed. Some series may have 2 and some may have 5 Tests.

In such a situation, if the ranking was made on the basis of total points, then those teams would have benefited more who played a series of 5 Tests. To avoid this situation, ICC gave importance to percentage points for ranking and also decided to decide the rank from this. Due to percentage points, India is currently ahead of Australia despite having less points.

India's position: Lost Tests to England and South Africa

India played 3 series in this cycle of WTC. Defeated West Indies 1-0, but drew one Test in the series. The 2-Test series in South Africa was drawn 1-1, then lost a Test at home against England, but won the series 4-1. India lost opportunities to win 2 Tests against England and West Indies.

At present, Team India has 74 points after 6 wins and 2 losses. The team is currently at the top with 68.51% points. If India is able to maintain the same percentage of points after all the Tests are over, then it will reach the final. Because last time India had made it to the finals with 58.80% and Australia with 66.67% points. In such a situation, having more than 65% points can be considered a safe position for now.

Australia is the biggest challenge

India now has to play 3 test series against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia. 2 Tests against Bangladesh and 3 against New Zealand will be played in India only. In the last 12 years, India has not lost any series in home conditions, in these too India lost only 4 Tests. In such a situation, Team India can win all the five Tests against New Zealand and Bangladesh. If India wins all the five Tests, then the team will remain the table topper with 134 points and 79.76% points.

After the home series, India will tour Australia in December, where there will be 5 Tests. Although the team has won the last 2 Test series here, but looking at Australia's form, difficulties may arise this time.

2 Tests will have to be won in Australia

If India wins all five Tests at home, then to keep more than 65% of the points, it will have to win at least 2 Tests in Australia. If India loses or draws even one Test at home, then the team will have to win 3 Tests against Australia in any case. If India does not win the series, then the team may have to depend on the results of the other teams.

India played both the finals of the World Test Championship, but lost both.

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FAQs:

1. Why does India need to win 7 out of the next 10 Tests to reach the WTC final?

   • India needs to maintain a high percentage of points in the WTC standings, and winning 7 out of the next 10 Tests would ensure they have more than 65% points, a safe margin to qualify for the WTC final.

2. How is the WTC ranking determined if not by total points?

   • The WTC ranking is determined by percentage points, not total points, to account for the varying number of matches played by different teams in the cycle. This ensures fairness in ranking regardless of how many Tests a team plays.

3. Why is Australia below India in the WTC points table despite having more points?

   • Australia is below India because the ranking is based on percentage points, not total points. Although Australia has more points, India has a higher percentage of points (68.52%) compared to Australia (62.50%).

4. What is India's current position in the WTC points table?

   • India is currently at the top of the WTC points table with 68.52% points from 9 matches, including 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw.

5. Which teams will India face in their upcoming WTC matches?

   • India will face Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia in their upcoming WTC matches, with 2 Tests against Bangladesh and 3 against New Zealand at home, followed by 5 Tests against Australia in Australia.

6. How has India performed in the WTC finals so far?

   • India has played in both WTC finals held so far but lost both, once to New Zealand and once to Australia.

7. What is considered a safe percentage of points for India to reach the WTC final?

   • A safe percentage of points for India to reach the WTC final is more than 65%, as this would likely secure their spot in the final based on previous cycles.

8. Why is Australia considered the biggest challenge for India in the WTC?

   • Australia is considered the biggest challenge because of their strong form, especially in home conditions where India will have to play a 5-Test series later this year.