India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test of the two-match series on Wednesday, August 19. Here’s how the equation has changed for them to reach the WTC final after the victory.
Despite significant rain delays, India thumped the hosts with more than a session to spare on the final day of the Test. Devdutt Padikkal was the star with the bat for the visitors, smashing 167 batting at number three, helping India post 462 runs in the first innings. He also won the player of the match for his terrific knock.
With the ball, Manav Suthar took his maiden 10-wicket match haul in just the second Test of his career. His triple-wicket over on the fifth day ensured India finished the game much earlier, as rain came down heavily in Galle shortly after the Test ended.
This win has certainly made life a tad easier for Shubman Gill and his troops in terms of World Test Championship final qualification. However, they must stay upbeat and continue in the same vein not only in the second Test against Sri Lanka but also in the remaining matches of the WTC cycle.
Updated WTC 2025-27 points table
Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Deducted | Points | PCT |
1 | Australia | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 77.78 |
2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75 |
3 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
4 | Bangladesh | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 66.67 |
5 | India | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 53.33 |
6 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 33.33 |
7 | England | 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 38 | 24.36 |
8 | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 16 | 22.22 |
9 | West Indies | 12 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 20.83 |
How India can qualify for WTC final
India remain in fifth place in the WTC points table with 53.33 PCT after 10 Tests. Over the last two cycles of the WTC, a PCT of around 60 has proved to be enough for a team to reach the final. India need to earn at least 66 more points in the remaining eight Test matches to get to that figure, and here's how they can get to it:
1. 5 wins and 2 draws will take their PCT to 61.11 by the end of the 2025-27 cycle.
2. India will end up with a PCT of 62.96 if they win six out of eight Test matches, and lose the other two.
3. Seven wins will take their percentage of points won to 68.51.
4. If India don’t lose any of the remaining Tests, they will definitely qualify for the WTC final with a PCT of 74.07.
Note: The calculation is done assuming India aren't docked any penalty points due to slow over-rates.
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