India Faces Competitive Road to WTC Final
South Africa's recent win over Australia shifts the global rankings as India targets a top-two finish in the championship.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Tennis
Live Poll
Do you still support your national sports team when their tournament qualification remains uncertain?
Following South Africa's victory over Australia in October 2026, the race for the 2027 World Test Championship final has intensified. India currently holds a 51.52 points percentage and needs strong performances in their remaining seven Tests to secure a spot.
Why it matters
The World Test Championship rankings are determined by points percentage, making every match vital for qualification. India must navigate high-stakes series against New Zealand and Australia to reach the top two positions required for the final.
Australia currently leads the standings with 75.00 PCT, followed by New Zealand at 72.22 PCT and South Africa at 66.67 PCT. The system awards 12 points for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw.
The players
India
The national cricket team is currently in fifth place in the standings with seven Tests remaining in the current cycle.
Australia
The national cricket team leads the World Test Championship rankings and is slated to play a five-match home series against India.
South Africa
The national cricket team occupies third place in the rankings after a recent win against Australia.
New Zealand
The national cricket team currently holds second place in the championship and is set to face India in an upcoming two-match Test series.
The details
India has completed 11 matches and holds a 51.52 PCT standing, while several other nations face point deductions including England with 14, West Indies with two, and Pakistan with 19. Qualification benchmarks suggest that reaching a 60 PCT mark may be necessary to guarantee a position in the top two.
Timeline
The World Test Championship final is scheduled to occur in 2027.
Season Trajectory
The standings remain fluid as the ICC World Test Championship point deduction system penalizes teams for various infractions, impacting the path to the 2027 final. India's upcoming seven Tests will determine if they can overtake higher-ranked opponents like New Zealand and South Africa.
India must win a significant portion of their remaining seven matches against New Zealand and Australia to maintain a mathematical path to the final. A 60 PCT threshold serves as the primary target for teams looking to secure their standing in the top two.
The takeaway
Qualifying for the World Test Championship requires consistent performance across multiple international series rather than occasional high-profile wins. Teams must closely monitor their points percentage to remain competitive against the league's top-ranked nations.
Further reading
For more on international competition rankings, visit the Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsX.
Live Poll
Do you still support your national sports team when their tournament qualification remains uncertain?
