India’s road to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2027 has become much clearer following the recent Tests that were played.
As every match affects the percentage points table (PCT), India still finds themselves in the race, but with very little to spare as they move forward towards the end of the cycle.
With Bangladesh scoring an upset win over Australia in the 1st Test, the pressure is now on India to deliver in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh have retained their fourth place, courtesy a nine-wicket win over Australia in Darwin in the opening match of the two-Test series Down Under.
In this article, The Sporting News takes an in depth look at India's WTC 2027 Final Qualification scenario.
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Latest World Test Championship Points Table
India currently sits in fifth position at the World Test Championship points table.
| Pos | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties | Draws | No Result | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 77.78 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 66.67 |
| 5 | India | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 48.15 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 41.67 |
| 7 | England | 13 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 24.36 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 22.22 |
| 9 | West Indies | 12 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 20.84 |
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India's Schedule and results for the World Test Championship 2025-27
| Series | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| India tour of England (A) [5 Tests] | June 2025 | Draw 2-2 (5 matches) |
| West Indies tour of India (H) [2 Tests] | October 2025 | Won 2-0 (2 matches) |
| South Africa tour of India (H) [2 Tests] | November 2025 | Lost 0-2 (2 matches) |
| India tour of Sri Lanka (A) [2 Tests] | August 2026 | |
| India tour of New Zealand (A) [2 Test] | October 2026 | |
| India tour of Australia (H) [5 Tests] | December 2026 |
In one of their biggest challenges, the series-levelling effort in the English summer ensured that India started the WTC cycle 2025-27 on a good note. However, the wobble in the home series against South Africa have set them back significantly.
India are currently fifth on the WTC table, having won only four of their nine Test matches.
MORE: IND squad for SL Tests: Gill returns as captain for two-match series
How can India qualify for the WTC Final 2027?
Matches remaining for India: 9 Tests
Reaching the WTC Final is based on securing one of the top-two PCTs after the completion of the league stage. In the WTC rankings, the percentage of points is considered and not the number of points, so all Tests are equally important. Victory will earn them 12 points, while a draw four and a tie six.
Thus, India's qualification hopes will depend on maintaining a strong PCT for the rest of the WTC cycle. With away tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand before a home series against Australia, every Test will be crucial. However, their prospects of securing themselves among the top two will also be contingent on the performance of the other teams.
The Oval in London will host the 2027 World Test Championship Final from June 9-13, 2027.