The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 Points Table has undergone significant changes following the conclusion of the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India faced a critical blow to their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship 2025 final after suffering three consecutive losses.
In the final Test held on Sunday, November 3, India was tasked with chasing a target of 147 runs to secure victory. Rishabh Pant stood out as the lone warrior for the Indian team, scoring 64 runs off just 57 balls. However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, leading to India being bowled out for a disappointing total of 121 runs.
First Innings Overview: India Takes a Lead Amidst Strong New Zealand Performance
New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, won the toss and elected to bat first in this crucial match. The visitors posted a total of 235 runs in their first innings, thanks to significant contributions from Daryl Mitchell, who scored 82 runs, and Will Young, who added 71 runs. For India, Ravindra Jadeja delivered an impressive bowling performance, taking five wickets, while Washington Sundar contributed with four wickets.
India needs to defeat Australia by a margin of 4-1 in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy to qualify for the World Test Championship finals.
In response, India managed to score 263 runs, gaining a slender lead of 28 runs. Shubman Gill narrowly missed out on a century with his innings of 90 runs, and Rishabh Pant supported with a solid 60 runs. New Zealand’s second innings saw them add 174 runs to their total, with Ravindra Jadeja achieving a remarkable second five-wicket haul, completing ten wickets for the match.
Impact on the ICC World Test Championship Points Table
Following their 25-run defeat to New Zealand, India’s points percentage (PCT) dropped from 62.82 to 58.33. Australia has climbed to the top of the table, now holding a PCT of 62.5. India has five matches remaining in this cycle, with the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series against Australia on the horizon.
Also Read: India Suffers Historic Whitewash at Home as New Zealand Claims Mumbai Test
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s clean sweep against India has propelled them to fourth place with a PCT of 54.55. The Black Caps have successfully secured victories in five out of their eleven Tests in the ongoing WTC cycle.
In addition, Tom Latham’s victory as a visiting captain marks him as only the third skipper to achieve a whitewash against India in a Test series on their home ground, joining the ranks of Mike Brearley (1980) and Hansie Cronje (2000).
This update highlights the ongoing shifts in the WTC standings and the implications of recent matches on the teams’ prospects for the final.
