India, who were dominantly holding the top position of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship points table last October, slipped after suffering a shocking home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. 

Before the three-match Test series finale Wankhede Test, hosts India already lost the Test series against New Zealand by losing the first two Tests. However, the last Test was still important for both teams due to the WTC points table. 

India failed to chase 147 runs in the fourth innings

After losing the first Test by eight wickets in Bengaluru, India lost the Pune Test by 113 runs. In the last Test at Wankhede, both teams fought bravely, but India failed to chase the 147-run target and lost by 25 runs.

Once again, the Indian batters struggled against the New Zealand spinners. Except for the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s outstanding batting performance, no other Indian batter provided a strong fightback in the fourth innings. Pant scored 64 runs, while captain Rohit Sharma (11) and Washington Sundar (12) were the only other batters to reach the double-digit scores in that innings.

Among the New Zealand bowlers in that innings, Ajaz Patel bagged six wickets (6/57) to complete the Test match with 11 wickets, while Glenn Philips took three wickets (3/42) and Matt Henry (1/10) got one wicket. 

Key historic moments of the Test series

• It was the first time India lost a Test match when chasing less than 200 runs target in the fourth innings at home. However, it wasn’t the only historic feat in this Test series.

• The Bengaluru Test defeat was India’s first home Test defeat against New Zealand since 1988. 

• It was India’s first home Test series defeat against New Zealand.

• Hosting bilateral Test series with more than one Test, it was only India’s second home whitewash but first with three Tests. India suffered their first home Test series whitewash during the South Africa tour of India in early 2000 for a two-match Test series.  

India at the 2023-2025 WTC points table 

With this Test series result, the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship has entered into a very interesting position. India have now slipped to second place while the defending champions Australia are on top. Apart from them, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are also battling for the top two spots in the final points table of the ongoing Championship. As all these five teams are battling closely, each Test match result is important in this WTC points table. 

India

India will now play their last Test series in the ongoing WTC edition, which will be a five-match Test series against the hosts Australia. Talking about the WTC final qualification, India can’t afford a series defeat in Australia. Moreover, they need to win a good number of matches in the Australia tour to make their position safer in the points table. 

Australia

After hosting the five-match Test series against India, Australia will also tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series in late January. Both the Test series are very important for the defending WTC champions, as defeats can force them to slip into the points table. 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are in the third place in the ongoing WTC points table. They have two important Test series left. After traveling to South Africa for a two-match Test series in late November, Sri Lanka will host Australia in a two-match Test series in late January. If Sri Lanka manage to win both the Test series, they can be the finalists.  

New Zealand

By securing an incredible 3-0 whitewash against the hosts India, New Zealand are in fourth place on the ongoing WTC points table. The inaugural WTC champions are much in the game now, as strong upcoming home Test series results against England can make their place safer in the points table. However, home Test defeats against England can also force them to miss the top two places. 

South Africa

South Africa now have two home Test series left. After hosting a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, South Africa will host another two-match Test series against Pakistan. Both Test series are very important for them, as each Test match success will hold them to the stronger places in the points table. However, defeats will only take away their chances. 

Others

While West Indies and Bangladesh are out in the battle for the final two spots, England and Pakistan are still in the battle. However, with less than 50 pct, England and Pakistan are also heavily dependent on other results to reach the top two places. 

Latest points table of 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship