India solidify top position in WTC standings, Bangladesh slip down
Team India has further solidified its top position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table, following a comprehensive 2-0 home series win over Bangladesh. The Rohit Sharma-led team successfully chased a target of 95 runs in the second and final Test in Kanpur. Meanwhile, the Tigers have slipped down to the seventh position with this defeat. Here we decode the WTC table.
How did the game pan out?
An unbeaten century from Mominul Haque helped Bangladesh finish at 230/10 batting first. As the second and third days of the contest got washed out, India went with an ultra-aggressive approach and declared at 285/9. The innings run rate was 8.22. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored fifties. The Tigers managed 146 in their third innings before India comfortably accomplished the 95-run target.
India continue to lead
India's win over Bangladesh has given a solid boost to their position in WTC 2025. Rohit's team is now sitting pretty at the top with eight wins, two losses, and one draw from 11 matches, racking up a total of 98 points. This win has also bumped up their points percentage to an impressive 74.24%. Meanwhile, Bangladesh now hold the seventh place. They now hold a PCT of 34.38%, having won three and lost five games.
Australia trail behind India in WTC standings
Australia retain their second spot with a 62.50 points percentage. They have recorded eight wins, three defeats, and a solitary draw. England own the fourth spot, having attained points percentage of 42.19. They have won eight of their 16 Tests as of now (L7, D1). It must be noted that Bangladesh held the fifth spot before their defeat in the Kanpur game.
WTC standings: Sri Lanka and New Zealand's positions
Sri Lanka have recorded five wins in the current cycle, boosting their points percentage (PCT) to 55.56%. The third-placed SL also own four defeats. On the other hand, New Zealand have suffered five loss in eight matches of WTC 2023-25, causing their PCT to drop to 37.50%. They are now sixth in the table with three wins.
What about the other teams?
South Africa, who beat West Indies 1-0 in their recent away Test series, are fifth in the standings. They have 28 points and a PCT of 38.89 %, having recorded two wins and three defeats (Draw: 1). WI continue at the ninth and last spot with 20 points and a PCT of 18.52 % (W1, D2, L6). Pakistan are at the eighth place with two wins and five defeats (PCT: 19.05%).
WTC standings: A look at points system
As has been the case, the ICC WTC standings are determined by the percentage of points earned. There are 12 points available for each win in the WTC. Four points are awarded to each team for a draw, with the teams earning six for a tie. A loss leads to no point deduction, while teams can lose points because of slow over-rates.
