India's Oval Thriller Lifts Them To Third In WTC Standings

India's Oval thriller lifts them to third in WTC standings (Image Source: IANS)

ICC World Test Championship: India’s thrilling six-run victory over England in the fifth Test at The Oval not only helped them draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2, but also gave their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign a much-needed lift.

With this result, India climbed to third place in the WTC standings, having earned 28 points from five matches with a points percentage (PCT) of 46.67.

The win was hard-fought and dramatic. England started the final day needing just 35 runs with four wickets in hand, but Indian pacers, led by Mohammed Siraj’s five-for, produced a sensational turnaround to snatch their narrowest-ever wins in terms of runs.

It was a significant result for a young Indian side missing senior players, and it came at a time when questions around the team’s transition in Test cricket had been raised.

England, who were in a strong position to close out the series, now find themselves in fourth place on the WTC table with 26 points and a PCT of 43.33. Their position was further impacted by a two-point penalty for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test at Lord’s.

Australia currently lead the standings with 36 points from three matches and a perfect 100 per cent PCT, after completing a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies. Sri Lanka follows in second place, having collected 16 points from two matches and a PCT of 66.67, courtesy of a 1-0 home series win against Bangladesh.

England, who were in a strong position to close out the series, now find themselves in fourth place on the WTC table with 26 points and a PCT of 43.33. Their position was further impacted by a two-point penalty for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test at Lord’s.

New Zealand, Pakistan and defending champions South Africa are yet to begin their WTC 2025–27 campaigns. With several high-profile series lined up in the coming months, the standings are expected to shift quickly - but India’s hard-fought Oval win has given them an ideal platform to build on.

Article Source: IANS