Can India Still Reach WTC Final After 4th Test Loss to Australia? A Look at Current Standings

As the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) race intensifies, India’s chances of reaching the final remain uncertain. Pat Cummins-led Australia triumphed over India by 184 runs on Monday to win the fourth Test of the ongoing five-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

After scoring 340 runs in 92 overs, Australia set a challenging target 234 in their second innings. India struggled on the final day with Rohit Sharma’s side managing to score only 155 runs in 79.1 overs, falling short of the required total.

India retains No. 3 Spot

Despite suffering their first defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in 13 years, India has managed to hold on to their No. 3 position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.

However, the loss has impacted India’s percentage of points (PCT%), which has dropped from 55.88% to 52.78%.

Australia’s dominant victory in the ongoing 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has boosted their percentage of points (PCT%) from 58.89% to 61.46%, however, Australia also remains static at the second position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.

World Test Championship 2023-25 points table

South Africa & Australia’s rankings

South Africa has claimed the top spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table with a commanding 66.67% percentage of points (PCT%).

Temba Bavuma’s side secured its place in the WTC 2025 final, scheduled to be held at Lord’s from June 11 to 15 next year, in the final with a thrilling 2-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test of their two-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday (December 29).

The Proteas now have the opportunity to finish the WTC cycle as table-toppers if they defeat Pakistan in the second Test, which will be played from January 3-7, 2025, at Newlands in Cape Town. If South Africa wins and Australia loses at least one of their remaining three Tests, the South Africans will remain at the top and enter the final in pole position.

After their upcoming New Year Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7, 2025, Australia will head to Sri Lanka for a two-match series in late January and early February.

The series will kick off with the first Test at Galle International Stadium, scheduled to run from January 29 to February 2, 2025. The second Test will also be held at the same venue, from February 2 to 6, 2025.

If India defeats Australia in the upcoming Sydney Test, followed by a whitewash of Australia by Sri Lanka in their two-match series, India will finish in second place in the WTC points table and secure a spot in the final.