WTC 2023-25: South Africa leading the World Test Championship points table with PCT 63.33 and very much in the race of finals. Let's checkout scenario for India to make to finals.
The qualification race for the top two teams in the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2023-25 has been a see-saw battle. When New Zealand handed India a 0-3 whitewash in November, the chances for the latter’s qualification felt a bit scratchy. A victory in Perth during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 increased India’s chances before it dropped again with the defeat at Adelaide.
It's quite remarkable that even with just ten Tests left in the cycle, no team have guaranteed their final place. South Africa, as of December 13, are standing at the peak of the table with a points percentage (PCT) of 63.330. They are not assured of the final at Lord’s in June 2025 yet. Even Pakistan, sitting at the seventh rank, have the slightest mathematical opportunity for the crown decider.
World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Points Table
Rank | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT |
1 | South Africa | 10 | 06 | 03 | 01 | 76 | 63.33 |
2 | Australia | 14 | 09 | 04 | 01 | 102 | 60.71 |
3 | India | 16 | 09 | 06 | 01 | 110 | 57.29 |
4 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 05 | 06 | 00 | 60 | 45.45 |
5 | England | 21 | 11 | 09 | 01 | 114 | 45.24 |
6 | New Zealand | 13 | 06 | 07 | 00 | 69 | 44.23 |
7 | Pakistan | 10 | 04 | 06 | 00 | 40 | 33.33 |
8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 04 | 08 | 00 | 45 | 31.25 |
9 | West Indies | 11 | 02 | 07 | 02 | 32 | 24.24 |
A look at how the teams currently stack up for the WTC 2023-25 final
South Africa (PCT- 63.33)
South Africa's recent 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka has put them at the top of the WTC table. For a place in the final, they need only one victory in the two-match series against Pakistan at home. A 1-1 result will keep them at 61.11%. Only India or Australia would then have a chance to overtake them.
A drawn series will pull down the Rainbow Nation to 58.33. A 3-2 series win for India over Australia will take them to 58.77. If the Pat Cummins-led side win both Tests in Sri Lanka, they will be on 60.53. Both of these sides can then go past the Proteas.
A 1-0 series defeat won’t be comfortable for Temba Bavuma’s men. Then they would hope that Australia fail to secure more than two wins in their last five Tests. They will also pray for India to not get anything more than a win and a draw in their remaining three Tests down under.
Sri Lanka (PCT- 45.45)
It’s not a straightforward qualifying scenario for Sri Lanka. A 2-0 series win at home against Australia will push them to 53.85. That will leave them to pray for a few results to go in their favor. South Africa and one of India or Australia can go beyond the Dhananjaya de Silva-led side. For the Blue Brigade, they will need a win and a draw, while Australia would be targeting two more victories.
However, both the finalists of the previous WTC 2021-23 final can finish below SL’s 53.85. For that, Australia will need to win the BGT by 2-1, with two draws. South Africa can finish below 53.85% only if they lose both Tests against Pakistan.
India (PCT- 57.29)
For India to be certain for a third successive WTC final place, they need two wins and a draw in the remaining three games. That will take them to 60.53% and assure at least a second place finish behind South Africa. Australia can only finish on 57.02, even with a clean sweep over Sri Lanka.
A 3-2 series victory will make it a little complicated for the two-time WTC runners-up. They then finish on 58.77, with Australia still finishing behind them with a 1-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka. However, a 2-3 series loss for India will give a chance to all the other three teams to surpass them. However, they can still go to the final with that margin. They will have to hope for the Proteas to lose both Tests against Pakistan, with Australia drawing at least one game in Sri Lanka.
Australia (PCT- 60.71)
A 3-2 series win will be enough for Australia to qualify for the final. Even if they lose both Tests in Sri Lanka, their 55.26 PCT will be higher than India’s 53.51 and Sri Lanka’s 53.85. That will see them securing the second place, behind South Africa.
A 2-3 series defeat in the BGT 2024-25 will see India climbing up to 58.77. In that case, the defending champions will need to win both the Tests in Sri Lanka to go past India. However, if South Africa don’t get more than one draw against Pakistan, then Australia can surpass the Proteas’ 55.56 with a win and a draw in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan (PCT- 33.33)
Pakistan are staring at death. But they still have a remote mathematical chance. With four wins in their remaining fixtures, two against South Africa and two at home against West Indies, they will finish on 52.38. That will be lower than South Africa’s 52.78, who can help the Shan Masood-led side with a slow over-rate penalty.
Pakistan will still need a few other results to go in their favor. It’s just mathematically possible for them to finish either behind India or Australia. New Zealand, Bangladesh, West Indies, and England are out of the race for the WTC 2023-25 final. The summit clash will take place from June 11 to 15, 2025, at Lord’s.
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