India has been the most consistent team in both WTC cycles and is the only team to play in consecutive finals, losing both against different opponents and this will be their third turn with Gambhir. The World Test Championship was one of the most highly anticipated plans of the ICC, which was started in 2019.
Mostly played over the different test series, played by all mainstream teams in the world, over a period of two years, the top two teams of the WTC table qualify to play in the finals, held in England.
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India’s history in the tournament
India played their first WTC final back in 2021, as they were already crowned the No. 1 test side, leaving behind the greatest of teams in the longest format of the game. To quite a surprise, neither England, South Africa, nor Australia could make it to the finals, as India and New Zealand played the first-ever WTC final held at the Rose Bowl.
After India lost the first WTC final to the Kiwis, they once again led the table to enter the second WTC final in 2023, as they played it against Australia at the Oval. This was India’s second consecutive final and the first under skipper Rohit Sharma.
An account of India’s WTC final performance
First WTC final: IND vs. NZ, Rose Bowl, Southampton
The first-ever finals of the World Test Championship were played between the Men in Blue, led by Virat Kohli, and New Zealand, played by Kane Williamson. This was Williamson’s third straight entry into the finals of an ICC tournament, after Williamson led them to the ICC 2019 World Cup and the ICC 2021 T20 World Cup, losing both.
What India lacked was prowess in the batting department, as Indian pacers Md. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishant Sharma were equally convincing as the bowlers of the winning side. India could post a target of 140, which was chased by the Kiwi captain alongside veteran Ross Taylor, as New Zealand won their only cup in any major ICC tournament.
Second WTC final: IND vs. AUS, The Oval, London
The second final was played between the two top sides of recent test cricket as India took on Australia, led by Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins for the first time. Cummins hence started his winning streak, as he won the World Test Championship with a resilient performance from veteran batter Steven Smith and Australia’s rescue star Travis Head, both scoring 100+ totals to give the Aussies the lead.
On the other hand, India faced a batting crisis, as they could only manage a few runs in both innings, and Australia won comfortably with over 209 runs to spare.
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What can be new head coach Gautam Gambhir’s antics for the WTC 2025?
BCCI has appointed Gambhir as India’s head coach for the next 3 years, and one of his major targets will be success in the World Test Championship. India is leading the WTC table once again with their sight at yet another World Test Championship final, which is scheduled to be played at the iconic Lord’s Stadium.
With two home series awaited against Bangladesh and New Zealand, India will have many chances to cater to their needs for building a perfect team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be played between India and Australia as the last test series before the WTC.
A new opening pair
India, for the first time, will play the WTC, with Rohit Sharma and Yashahvi Jaiswal being the probable openers. Shubman Gill has not shown much consistency in the format and was dropped off, while the two openers will be the new coach’s first-choice replacement.
The return of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya
KL Rahul was dropped from the longest format before the WTCs; however, he has been known to excel in the format, and with Gambhir stepping in, the ex-LSG mentor might recall his former skipper for better stability in the middle-order.
Hardik Pandya, who made a start to his test career long ago but has never played in the format since 2018, might be recalled by the new coach. As India lacks a potent pace-bowling all-rounder in the format, Pandya, who has now evolved to be a much more mature batter, might look to step in.
The return of Rishabh Pant
India’s test cricketer of the year and one of the players who has entertained people in the format by changing the tempo has been India’s wicketkeeper batter. Though he couldn’t deliver in the WTC final of 2021, he has always played a good hand in India’s fightbacks at tests in England.
Pant’s return might be better off, as India is in the quest for a batter at No. 5.
Will the KKR captain find himself among the Men in Blue?
KKR’s IPL-winning skipper, Shreyas Iyer, was not offered an annual contract by the BCCI, which was disheartening after his splendid performance in the World Cup 2023. Iyer has also been stable for India at No. 5, and including him alongside Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will only strengthen India’s middle order. Gambhir, knowing of Iyer’s capability during the middle phases, might look to include him for WTC 2025.
Playing Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah together
India will have the likes of Jadeja and Ashwin in the bowling department, as the duo has had immense success for the Men in Blue, with this being their last probable WTC.
However, with the WTC awaited to be played at the Lord’s, veteran pacers Shami and Bumrah will be seen playing the most vital roles. They can be shepherding India’s attack with the new ball and allowing the free swing and wind conditions in England. Though the quest for an optional backup for these two remains a tough choice for Gambhir and co.
With all this, Gambhir might look to avoid the third major upset for India if they go through to the third consecutive final of the WTC. Even skipper Rohit Sharma and veteran Kohli might draw curtains to their careers in the longest format after they have a successful end to their WTC campaign.
