Guwahati: India’s efforts in the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) have faced a significant blow after suffering consecutive defeats to South Africa in their recent two-Test series. These losses have relegated the Men in Blue to fifth place on the WTC points table, with four victories out of nine matches, resulting in a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15. With nine matches remaining, India must navigate a challenging pathway if they wish to qualify for the WTC final, set to take place in June 2027 at Lord’s.
India’s upcoming fixtures include two Tests in Sri Lanka in August 2026, followed by two matches in New Zealand during October and November 2026. The campaign will conclude with a five-Test home series against Australia in January and February 2027. In an optimal scenario, winning all nine remaining games would elevate India’s total points to 160 and increase their PCT to 74.07, which would likely secure their final spot. However, considering their current performance and past difficulties in New Zealand, achieving this will not be straightforward.
The Calculation for Qualification
India has already played more matches than any other team in this WTC cycle, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka—currently positioned above them—having only completed two matches each. Meanwhile, New Zealand has not yet started its campaign. Historical data indicates that a PCT above 60 is typically sufficient for final qualification.
To surpass this threshold, India must win at least seven of their remaining nine matches. For instance, a scenario involving six wins, two draws, and one loss would yield a PCT of 61.11, while seven wins and two losses would lead to a PCT of 62.96. Conversely, losing three more matches would likely extinguish their hopes for WTC qualification.
Shubman Gill and the batting order will need to regain their consistency, and the bowlers must perform effectively in key moments. Each remaining match is critical for India, which now finds itself under considerable pressure during this phase of the WTC cycle. The outcome of these next nine Tests will ultimately determine whether India can realistically aspire to return to the WTC final.
