Top contenders to play the World Test Championship final in 2025

The third cycle of the World Test Championship has picked up pace, with Test cricket taking the front seat after the conclusion of the ODI and T20I World Cups. With the halfway mark already crossed, the usual favorites—India, Australia, and New Zealand—have secured the top spots in the WTC rankings. India has played in every WTC Final match so far, but the team is yet to claim the coveted Test mace. The Kiwis edged past Kohli’s men in the 2021 WTC Final at Southampton, while Australia defeated the Rohit Sharma-led team in 2023 at The Oval. Now, India has found its way to the top of the table again, but the team has 10 remaining matches to conclude this WTC cycle. Meanwhile, teams like Australia and New Zealand, following closely in the standings, are scheduled to clash with India as they climb toward the concluding chapter of this season’s World Test Championship.

India leads the World Test Championship standings

Team India, with 68.52 PCT, is currently leading the table with a considerable lead over second-placed Australia. The Indian team has secured 6 wins in the 9 matches they have played so far in this World Test Championship cycle. With one draw in their tally, India has faced just two defeats—one at home against England earlier this year and the other at the hands of South Africa on their home turf. Now, in their quest for another shot at the Test mace, India has 10 matches remaining. The Rohit Sharma-led team will host Bangladesh in September for a two-match red-ball series. Next, the table-toppers will welcome New Zealand for a three-match series starting in October.

India will wrap up the ongoing WTC cycle with the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia at the end of this year. Australia, which has not claimed the trophy in over a decade, will host India for a five-match series starting in December. However, as far as WTC standings are concerned, India has a chance to lock in its place in the final well before the BGT. If India manages to win both its home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the side can afford possible slip-ups against the Kangaroos on their home soil. However, with India having won their last two away series against Australia, the pressure will be on the hosts to claim the trophy.

Who can challenge India in the 2025 WTC Finals?

Australia

Australia, with 62.50 PCT, has claimed the second position in the current WTC standings. The Kangaroos have managed 8 wins in the 12 matches they have played in this cycle so far. With 1 draw, Australia has endured 3 defeats. With less than half of the cycle remaining, Australia has just 5 matches left to play. These 5 matches are all against India as part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, slated for the end of this year in Australia.

Currently at 62.50 PCT, Australia needs at least 63.16 PCT to ensure their place in the WTC Final. Moreover, with the likes of New Zealand and England having more Tests remaining, Australia needs to script clinical wins against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy to cement its WTC Final berth. The task, though scheduled on their home turf, is an uphill battle for Pat Cummins and his men. Heading into the five-match series in Australia, the Kangaroos have much to prove against the visiting Indian team. India has defeated Australia in their last two home series, including the historic Gabba breach in the 2022/23 edition. These two away wins, combined with their home series victory in 2023/24, have kept Australia from reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for nearly a decade.

For a clear shot at the WTC Final spot, Australia needs to win at least 4 of their matches against India. Even 3 wins will leave the Kangaroos at the mercy of other teams to secure a place in the World Test Championship Final. While Australia has only the BGT to play, New Zealand and England have 8 and 7 matches remaining, respectively.

New Zealand

New Zealand has accumulated 36 points with 50.00 PCT across the 6 matches they have played in this cycle so far. The Kiwis have a clear 3-win, 3-loss record in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. The 2021 WTC winners have 8 matches remaining against the likes of India, Sri Lanka, and England in their quest for another run at the Test mace. New Zealand needs to ensure 57.14 PCT to qualify, which can be attained by winning at least 5 of their remaining matches.

The Kiwis have 2 away series scheduled ahead of the WTC Final in June 2025. First, the team will host Sri Lanka for a two-match red-ball series in September this year. Next, the Kiwis will tour India for a 3-match series in October before arriving in England for their last campaign in the WTC cycle. Out of their 6 scheduled away matches, New Zealand needs to secure three wins to remain in contention for the World Test Championship Final in 2025, which is slated to unfold at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground.