India Faces New WTC Test After WI Win
Australia have cemented their position as leaders in the WTC Test Championship cycle with a stunning 10-wicket win over West Indies in the opening Test.
Team India is currently enjoying a brief break, after concluding their final T20I series before the upcoming World Cup in June. When they assemble early next week, their focus will return to the traditional format of the game as they prepare to face England in a five-match Test series starting on January 25. This series marks India’s third participation in the current World Test Championship cycle. And their first on home soil, where they have maintained an unbeaten record since 2012. As India attempts to extend their winning streak against England, the team that last beat them on home soil, defending WTC champions Australia has introduced a new dynamic. Current Test Championship standings.
Australia continued their dominance with a decisive 3-0 win against Pakistan on home soil earlier this month. They continued this momentum into their next series and produced another impressive performance to defeat a weakened West Indies team at the Adelaide Oval. The first match of the two-Test series ended in just three days, once again showcasing Australia’s clinical skills.
Josh Hazlewood took his 11th five-wicket haul, reducing West Indies’ innings to just 120 runs in the 13th over on the third morning. Australia got the target of only 26 runs. Steve Smith (11*) and Usman Khawaja (9*) were on the verge of completing the task when unfortunately Khawaja had to leave the field after being retired hurt by a bouncer from the impressive Shamar Joseph. Shortly afterwards, Marnus Labuschagne scored the winning run to give Australia an unassailable 1–0 series lead.
Australia’s impressive 10-wicket win marked their sixth win in the 2023/25 WTC cycle, consolidating their lead on the points table. With 66 points earned from nine matches, their points percentage (PCT) is an impressive 66.11. The upcoming match against West Indies at the Gabba on January 25 is important as Australia has suffered only one defeat at the venue since 1988. If Pat Cummins and his team continue their winning streak at this fort, Australia can potentially increase their total. Points at 78, maintaining PCT of 65.
India is currently at second place in the points table after winning two wins in four matches. These wins came against West Indies in August last year and against South Africa in Centurion earlier this month. Rohit Sharma and his team will have to win the series 5-0 against England to overtake Australia and take the top spot. The clean sweep will give them 60 points, taking their total points percentage (PCT) to 86 with 79.6.
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India will approach the upcoming matches against South Africa and New Zealand with caution as both teams are currently placed third and fourth in the points table. Despite earning 12 points each from two matches, both teams will face each other in a two-match series early next month.
If England repeats their 2012 success and South Africa or New Zealand achieve a clean sweep, then two-time finalists India may face challenges of not securing a top-two finish in this WTC cycle. Although there is still a long way to go, Rohit and Rahul Dravid could be set for an intense journey ahead.
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