For the first time since the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the World Test Championship (WTC), the India cricket team has failed to make the final of the red-ball event. Team India was easily the best side in the 2019-21 cycle, winning over 70% of their matches. In the next cycle (2021-25), the Test dominance diminished, and now (2023-25), it seems like the end of something special.
Australia edges out Bumrah-less India to qualify for WTC Final 2025
With Ravichandran Ashwin retired and two batting greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, not far away either, it makes sense that Team India doesn’t reach the WTC Final for the first time. Jasprit Bumrah, who played a massive role in Team India contending for the ICC Test mace, couldn’t help them draw the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and make sure his team remains in the WTC Final race due to an unfortunate back injury.
However, one must commend the Australian cricket team. Despite losing Cameron Green before the India vs Australia Test series and Josh Hazlewood in the middle of it, they have won 3-1 and beaten an Indian side that has shown no sign of quitting. Even a depleted pace attack gave Australia a run for their money but in the Pat Cummins and co. finally won their first Test series against India since 2014.
WTC Final set, South Africa vs Australia for ICC Test mace
This means that Australia has qualified for their second consecutive WTC Final. Having won the ICC Test mace last time against India, this time they’ll be going against South Africa, who had qualified after beating Pakistan by 2 wickets at Centurion on December 29 to make their first WTC Final.
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WTC Points Table 2023-25
| Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Penalty | Points | Points % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa (Q) | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 88 | 66.67 |
| Australia (Q) | 17 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -10 | 130 | 63.73 |
| India | 19 | 9 | 2 | 8 | -2 | 114 | 50.00 |
| New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | -3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| England | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | -22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| Pakistan | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | -8 | 40 | 30.3 |
| West Indies | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
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