Australia and South Africa are currently going head-to-head in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final. Day 1 at the Lord’s saw an exhilarating period of play, where 14 wickets were taken and only 255 runs were scored. Trailing by 169 runs, South Africa have lost four wickets and would need strong support from the middle order to become the new World Test champions. If the Temba Bavuma-led side does cause an upset, we will have three different winners in three different cycles.
Meanwhile, just a couple of days after the WTC 2025 final, the new cycle of 2025-2027 will begin. Well, it’ll be Sri Lanka and Bangladesh who will kickstart the new cycle of two years. Bangladesh are set to tour the Lankan Lions for two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is. The first Test begins on June 17 at Galle International Stadium, Galle, which will also be the farewell Test for Sri Lankan legend Angelo Mathews.
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Tests schedule
- 1st Test: Galle (June 17-21)
- 2nd Test: Colombo (June 25-29)
Meanwhile for India, they missed out on a WTC final spot after losing Test series to New Zealand (at home) and Australia (away). The Gautam Gambhir-coached unit, with new skipper Shubman Gill, would be determined for a better outing this time. Three days after the opening Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Test, India will start their five-match Test series against England in Leeds.
World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle schedule
| Team | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | New Zealand, England, Bangladesh | India, West Indies, South Africa |
| Bangladesh | England, West Indies, Pakistan | Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka |
| England | New Zealand, India, Pakistan | Australia, Bangladesh, Bangladesh |
| India | Australia, West Indies, South Africa | England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka |
| New Zealand | India, West Indies, Sri Lanka | England, Australia, Pakistan |
| Pakistan | New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka | Bangladesh, England, West Indies |
| South Africa | Australia, England, Bangladesh | India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Sri Lanka | India, South Africa, Bangladesh | West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan |
| West Indies | Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka | Bangladesh, India, New Zealand |
