The 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship has been running interestingly from the early period of this competition cycle. We have already experienced many historic results that make this WTC cycle stunning in Test cricket history.

New Zealand tour of Bangladesh 2023/24

• The Test series started with Bangladesh’s 150-run win in the Sylhet Test. While it was the second Test win for Bangladesh against New Zealand, it was also their first home Test win against New Zealand. Previously, Bangladesh drew three home Tests and lost three home Tests against New Zealand. However, New Zealand levelled the series by winning the second or last Test by four wickets. 

Freedom Trophy 2023/24: India tour of South Africa 

• It was a two-match Test series. After South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion, India levelled the series by winning the last Test by seven wickets at Cape Town. It was India’s first Test win at Newlands, Cape Town, after previously recording two draws and four defeats. 

• In the meantime, it was the second time when India drew or didn’t lose a Test series in South Africa. Their previous Test series draw in South Africa was recorded in the 2010/11 season, where the three-match Test series ended by 1-1. India lost all other five Test series in South Africa.  

Frank Worrell Trophy 2023/24: West Indies tour of Australia

• It was a two-match Test series between the hosts Australia and the visitors West Indies. Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first Test at Adelaide by 10 wickets. The Gabba, Brisbane, hosted the second Test of the series, where Australia lost only one Test (against India in 2021) since 1989. It was also a day/night pink ball Test match, where West Indies surprised everyone by winning the Test by eight runs. It was West Indies' first Test win against Australia after the 2003 St. John’s Test victory and the first Test win in Australia after the 1997 Perth Test victory. Meanwhile, West Indies previously won a Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane, in 1988.

• The Brisbane day/night pink-ball Test defeat was also Australia’s first day/night pink-ball Test defeat. Before that shocking defeat, Australia won all their previous 11 day/night pink-ball Tests. 

• After the 1999 home Test series draw, West Indies lost nine consecutive Test series against Australia before the latest Test series draw in Australia. On the other hand, after winning the 1992 Test series in Australia, West Indies lost six straight Test series in Australia before their latest away Test series draw.  
  

Anthony de Mello Trophy 2023/24: England tour of India

• It was the five-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors England. England won the first Test by 28 runs at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. It was India’s first Test defeat at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, while they previously won four Tests and drew one Test at this venue. However, India won the Test series by 4-1 after winning all the next four Tests. 

Tangiwai Shield 2023/24: South Africa tour of New Zealand 

• It was a two-match Test series between the hosts New Zealand and the visitors South Africa. Mount Maunganui and Hamilton hosted the Test matches, where the hosts New Zealand won by 281 runs and seven wickets, respectively. While New Zealand won the Test series by 2-0, it was their first Test series win against South Africa. Previously, South Africa won 13 Test series against New Zealand and drew four Test series. 

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan 2024

• Before this Test series, Bangladesh never won a Test match against Pakistan. In 13 previous Test matches against Pakistan, Bangladesh lost 12 and drew once. However, Bangladesh won both the Test matches against Pakistan in the two-match Test series at Rawalpindi. After winning the first Test by 10 wickets, the visitors won the second Test by six wickets. 

• Bangladesh not only created history by winning a Test match in the series, but they also won the Test series by 2-0. After losing six consecutive Test series against Pakistan, Bangladesh finally recorded their first Test series win against Pakistan. 

England tour of Pakistan 2024/25  

• It was the three-match Test series between the hosts Pakistan and the visitors England. After England won the first Test by an innings and 47 runs at Multan, Pakistan won the second Test by 152 runs at Multan. It was Pakistan’s first home Test win since March 2022. Before that Test victory, Pakistan lost seven Tests and drew four Tests at home. 

• Rawalpindi hosted the last Test of the series, and Pakistan won the Test series by 2-1. It was the first time that Pakistan won a home Test series after trailing.

• Also, it was the second time that Pakistan won a Test series after trailing̣. During their Zimbabwe tour in 1994/95, Pakistan won the Test series by 2-1 after losing the Test series opener. 

New Zealand tour of India 2024/25

• It was the three-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors New Zealand. New Zealand won the first Test of the series by eight wickets at Bengaluru. It was New Zealand’s first Test win in India since December 1988. Before this win, New Zealand drew nine Tests and lost 10 Tests in India. 

• By winning the second Test by 113 runs at Pune, New Zealand recorded their first Test series win in India. New Zealand recorded their maiden Test series victory after 10 Test series defeats and two Test series draws in India. 

• It was India’s first Test series defeat since March 2022. During this period, India recorded six Test series wins and one Test series draw.

• It was India’s first Test series defeat at home since 2013. After losing the home Test series against England in late 2012, India won 18 successive home Test series before losing the latest home Test series against New Zealand. 

• India lost the three-match home Test series by 3-0. It was India’s first whitewash suffer in the home Test series with three or more Tests. Previously, India suffered a home Test series whitewash with two matches only once during the two-match home Test series against South Africa in 2000. 

Things haven't gone according to plan for Rohit Sharma & Co. as India unexpectadly crashed out against the Kiwis in the three-match Test series and were severly jolted to its core. The devastating series defeat has caused a crisis like situation to develop in the Indian camp. As the nation and it's fans try to come in terms with the ongoing situation, all eyes will be on Rohit and how he pulls his side out of misery as they prepare to face the battle-hardened Australians in the upcoming BGT tour down under.

With the WTC qualification chances also in jeopardy, there are moutning concerns than hopes as to how India can get their campaign back on track in this ongoing WTC cycle. Despite enduring such diificulties, former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has utmost belief in Rohit's ability to lead the Indian side to glory in the fourthcoming BGT tour.     

Dhawan's special relationship with Rohit and why he remains hopeful

Rohit and Dhawan both have a fair share of extraordinary batting memories. The duo formed one of the most deadliest opening pairs in Indian cricket history. Dhawan vividly remembers the partnership he had with Rohit in one of the league matches of the 2013 Champions Trophy edition against South Africa. Dhawan went on to smash a century in that match on a challenging seaming wicket and Rohit too played his role of a pinch-hitter at the top shamshing eight fours and one six. That partnership helped India set the tone for a gigantic first innings total and as a result, India emerged victorious in that game by a decisive margin of 26 runs.  

Dhawan has observed Rohit a lot closely during his playing days and he remains fully optimistic of his true capabilities. The retired Indian batter believes that the Indian skipper will come good and peak just when his side requires him to deliver the much needed goods. India have previously triumphed in the earlier two BGT editions in Australia. Virat was the first Indian captain to lead India to their first-ever Test series win on Aussie soil in 2018-19 while India, under Rahane's leadership went on to win the 2020-21 series by 2-1. Now it is time for Rohit Sharma and team to register the third consecetive BGT series win on the trot. 

After the hosts India suffered a shocking whitewash against New Zealand in the three-match Test series, the question is rising: Can India reach the final of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship edition?  

India strongly held the top position in the ongoing 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship percentage of points won (PCT) table before the beginning of the three-match home Test series against New Zealand. While one Test victory of the series would be enough for India to retain their top place in the table, the 3-0 shocking home Test series defeat slipped them to second place. 

The defending champions Australia are now leading the ongoing WTC PCT with 62.50%. Meanwhile, the first two WTC editions runners-up India are in second place in the same table with 58.33%. Every team wants to finish in the top two places to qualify for the ongoing edition final. 

SEE ALSO: India slip in WTC points table after shocking home whitewash

Sri Lanka (PCT 55.56%), New Zealand (PCT 54.55%), and South Africa (PCT 54.17%) also have great chances to qualify for the upcoming WTC final. Although England (PCT 40.79%) and Pakistan (PCT 33.33%) are also officially available for the WTC final qualification, they majorly have to depend on the other series results too. Bangladesh (PCT 27.50%) and West Indies (PCT 18.52%) have no more chance to qualify for the final despite still having Test series in this cycle. 

Latest 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship

Here, we are looking at how India can qualify for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final. So, we will see how India can finish in the top two positions in the ongoing WTC PTC table.  

India now have only one Test series left. India will now tour Australia to play the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In this upcoming series, Australia will host a five-match Test series. Although India won the historic Test series in their last two tours in Australia, the upcoming tour is going to be tougher, and the recent home Test series results just confirmed this belief. 

Teams with the highest possible PCT available in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship (If each team can win all their remaining matches)

India qualifying for the final without depending other results

Starting with the simple and easy theory, India will ensure their place in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final by securing at least a 4-0 series victory in Australia. It means India can’t lose a game in Australia to end this cycle with 65+ PCT (65.29%). If India secure 65 PCT, they can secure their position in the top two without depending on any other Test match results. 

By winning the away Test series with a 0-5 margin, India will achieve their maximum PCT available at 69.30%. However, both equations are very hard to achieve for India. 

• India winning the Test series by 0-5: 69.30 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 0-4: 65.79 PCT
  

If 60 PCT is enough for India

Seven Test series are yet to begin, and 18 Test matches will be played. So, there are high chance of seeing continuous changes in the ongoing WTC PCT. Considering other Test series battles in tight angles, if India need to secure at least 60 PCT, they need to win at least three Tests and also can’t defeat more than one Test in the upcoming Australia tour. 

• India winning the Test series by 1-4: 64.04 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 0-3: 62.28 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 1-3: 60.53 PCT

If 55 PCT enough for India

If the scene becomes more volatile, India can finish in the top two even with the 55 PCT. To secure this achievement, they can’t lose the series. While any kind of remaining Test series win will be enough for India to secure the 55+ PCT, they can also achieve it with a 2-2 series draw. 

• India winning the Test series by 2-3: 58.77 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 0-2: 58.77 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 1-2: 57.02 PCT

• India winning the Test series by 0-1: 55.26 PCT

• India drew the Test series by 2-2: 55.26 PCT

If lower than 55 PCT enough for India

With more favourable results in other series, India can reach the final of the ongoing WTC cycle with 53.51 PCT. It can be achieved with a 1-1 draw result or a 3-2 margin series defeat. 

India’s final possible PCTs after the end of the five-match Test series in Australia

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