The race for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final is heating up at Lord’s, with just a few critical series left to be played.
The Road To WTC 2025 Final
With the WTC 2025 cycle in its final stages, everyone is keenly watching for the remaining series. Let us break down who can still qualify and who has fallen off the boat.
1. South Africa
South Africa are currently leading the WTC standings with a healthy 63.33% of possible points. Their whitewash of Sri Lanka and series win over Bangladesh have put them in a very commanding position. The Proteas have two important home Tests remaining against Pakistan and if they continue their winning form, they will be well-placed to secure their spot in the final. Their best possible finish stands at 69.44%, which should be enough to see them through to Lord’s, assuming they maintain their momentum.
2. Australia
The defending WTC champions, Australia, are in second place with 58.89% of the possible points. Their recent performances, including a dominant pink-ball win over India in Adelaide, have kept them in the race. With two important home Tests against India and two away matches against Sri Lanka remaining, Australia could theoretically draw 2-2 with India and still stay in contention. Their best possible finish is 67.54% and they will need to win at least one of the upcoming Tests against India to keep their hopes alive.
3. India
India, with 55.88% of possible points, are in a precarious position. Although they had a brilliant win over Australia in Perth, India’s hopes of qualification were doused when they lost to Australia in the second Test. They have two Tests left in their current series against Australia and they need to win both to have any chance of qualifying for the final. Even then, they will depend on other series results to go their way. India’s best possible finish is 60.53% and anything less than a 2-0 win over Australia will leave their fate in the hands of other teams.
4. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, with 45.45% of possible points, are still technically in contention, but their path to the final is extremely challenging. After a 2-0 whitewash by South Africa, their hopes took a severe beating. With two more crucial home Tests against Australia in January, Sri Lanka need to win both of those and hope for a series of favorable results elsewhere. Its best possible finish is at 53.85%. They’ll need a near perfect run and a lot of luck to make it to the final.
5. England
England, who were once in contention, have now fallen out of the race following a series of disappointing results, including their losses to Pakistan. Although they clinched a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand, their hopes were dashed by a heavy loss in the final Test. With just 43.18% of possible points, England cannot qualify for the WTC 2025 final.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand’s hope of making to their second WTC final got crushed after a miserable series against England. Having earlier in the cycle achieved a great win over India, recent defeats have sealed off all chances for them. At their best, with a finish of 48.21%, they stand to have no chance of entry into the final as many teams have already surpassed them on the points table.
7. Pakistan
Pakistan with 33.33% possible points mathematically can stay in the race for a qualification. Their probability to qualify will be tough though, given their best outcome in terms of percentages would merely reach 52.38%, which hardly has much scope to end up with any of the top-two rankings. However, they can play four tests with two on their tour against South Africa and two more on an incoming tour of the West Indies, but unless a series of unbelievable events, qualification won’t happen their way.
8. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is at the bottom of the table, scoring only 31.25% of the available points and their tournament is already over. The win against West Indies at the end of the round helped them to marginally recover from earlier defeats. Bangladesh cannot qualify for the WTC 2025 final.
9. West Indies
West Indies is also mathematically out of contention. They are currently sitting at ninth place with only 24.24% of possible points. The West Indies have shown moments of brilliance but inconsistency has cost them so dearly. Their two remaining Tests against Pakistan can bring some consolation, but the hopes of qualification for the West Indies are already over.
With just a handful of matches left, the race for the WTC 2025 Final is far from decided, however it’s clear that South Africa, Australia and India are the teams to watch in these final few months of competition.
Which two teams do you think will make it to the ICC WTC 2025 Final?
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
