WTC points table: The Rohit Sharma led Indian team secured the first rank of the World Test Championship 2023–25 points table on Sunday, 3rd March. The Men in Blue moved to the first rank following Australia’s victory over New Zealand in the first test match of their two-match test series.
The Aussies dominating victory by a margin of 172 runs in the first test against the Black Caps allowed India to move to the top of the overall standings of the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a pct of 64.58%.
Updated WTC 2023-25 points table following Australia’s victory in the first test against New Zealand:
Australia, riding on the back of Cameron Green’s impressive unbeaten knock of 174 runs, managed to score 383 runs in their first inning, while Kiwi Pacer Matt Henry took a five-wicket haul against the Aussies. In reply, the Black Caps batting unit struggled as they were bundled out for 179 runs in their first inning. Glenn Phillips top-scored for the hosts with his inning of 71 runs, while Nathan Lyon from Australia picked up four wickets and gave away just 43 runs.
The Australians, in their second inning, put a score of 164 runs on the board, with Nathan Lyon (41 runs in 46 balls) top scoring for the visitors. Kiwi All Rounder Glenn Phillips (5-45) picked up a fifer against the Aussies in their second inning.
Chasing a total of 369 runs on the fourth day of the first test match, the Black Caps were bundled out for 196 runs, which allowed the Kangaroos to win the first test by 172 runs. Nathan Lyon (6-65) was the top wicket-taker for the visitors in the fourth inning of the match.
Lyon emerged as the hero for the Australians with his phenomenal 10-wicket haul, having picked up four wickets in the first inning and six wickets in the second inning. His 10-wicket haul against New Zealand in New Zealand meant that the 36-year-old became the first spinner since 2006 to secure a 10-wicket haul in New Zealand.
Talking about the Indian cricket team, they are anticipated to retain the number one position in the WTC 2023-25 points table if they manage to win the fifth and final test match against England, which is set to start on March 7th in Dharamshala. But if the Men in Blue lose or draw the fifth test against the Three Lions, then a door will be opened for New Zealand and Australia to overtake the Rohit Sharma-led team as the table toppers in the overall standings of the WTC 2023–25 cycle.
New Zealand and Australia will lock horns against each other in the second and final test match of the two-match test series on March 8 in Christchurch.
| Pos | Team | Matches | W | L | Drawn | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 62 | 64.58 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 60.0 |
| 3 | Australia | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 78 | 59.09 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 |
| 6 | West Indies | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 33.33 |
| 7 | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 25.0 |
| 8 | England | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 19.44 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Read: ICC ODI Player Rankings (Rank 1 to 10) Updated on 2nd March
Source- ICC