Australia lead WTC standings as India eye revival against Sri Lanka

Australia remain firmly on top of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings as India prepare for a crucial two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with both Asian sides needing points to strengthen their chances of reaching the final. The series, beginning in Sri Lanka on August 15, represents an important opportunity for India to revive a campaign that has left them outside the leading group in the WTC table. The second Test is scheduled to begin on August 23.

Australia comfortably on top

Australia currently lead the WTC standings with a points percentage of 87.50, having won seven of their eight Tests in the ongoing cycle. Defending champions South Africa occupy second place with 75 per cent, while New Zealand are third at 72.22 per cent. Bangladesh have emerged as another contender, sitting fourth with 58.33 per cent following their 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in May.

India fifth in WTC race

India enter the Sri Lanka series in fifth position with a points percentage of 48.15 after winning four of their nine Tests. Sri Lanka are immediately behind India in sixth place with 41.67 per cent, giving the upcoming series considerable significance for both teams. England, West Indies and Pakistan occupy the bottom three positions and face an increasingly difficult task to climb into contention for the final.

With Australia, South Africa and New Zealand establishing themselves at the top end of the standings, India have little room for further setbacks.

A strong performance in Sri Lanka could substantially improve India's position and keep their hopes of reaching a third WTC final alive. India have previously reached the championship match twice, losing to New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 final before being beaten by Australia at The Oval in 2023. India's preparations have also been affected by an injury to top-order batter Sai Sudharsan, who has been ruled out of the Sri Lanka Tests. Despite the setback, India received encouraging signs from their warm-up match in Sri Lanka as they fine-tune their combinations for the two-Test contest.

WTC final set for The Oval

The top two teams at the end of the 2025-27 cycle will qualify for the World Test Championship final, which will be played at The Oval in London from June 16 to 20, 2027. It will mark the second time The Oval has staged the WTC final after hosting India's defeat to Australia in 2023. With less than a year remaining before the final, India's series against Sri Lanka could prove decisive in determining whether they can close the gap on the leading contenders and mount another challenge for the WTC mace.