The race to the ICC WTC final is setup in a compelling way at this point following South Africa’s 2-1 series win over Australia.
Not only did South Africa replace Australia (69.23%) as the No. 1 ranked ICC Test team in the world, but Temba Bavuma’s team also pushed Pat Cummins’ Australia to No. 3 in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 table to the third spot. New Zealand (72.22%) got the advantage of Australia’s series defeat and moved up to the top spot, while South Africa (71.43%) remain in the second position, poised for a top two finish.
Shubman Gill’s Indian cricket team (51.52%) is around the middle of the ICC WTC points table at No. 4, followed by Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Pakistan.
Bavuma’s side is the defending WTC champions. To make it to their second consecutive final, three wins and a couple of draws from their leftover 7 Tests is likely to do it for them.
ICC World Test Championship: How Can India Reach ICC WTC Final 2027 After SA Beat AUS?
India have two Test series remaining in this WTC cycle: against New Zealand away this year and against Australia at home early next year.
For India to keep their chances of qualifying for the ICC WTC final 2027, India need to do extremely well against New Zealand (2 Tests) and Australia (5 Tests). Of their remaining 7 Test matches, India will need to win six matches to finish with 64%, which is likely to help them reach the WTC final.
India’s chances will boost heftily with each potential victory because both New Zealand and Australia are currently ahead of India in the WTC points table, and both are strongly in contention for a top two finish.
Meanwhile, Australia have lost three of their last five Tests, having earlier drawn 1-1 to Bangladesh at home. They have 9 Tests more to play in this cycle: 4 vs New Zealand at home and 5 vs India in India.
Given Australia’s PCT is 69.23%, they would require only four wins and a draw to finish above 60%; 5 out of 9 Test match wins will take them to 63.63%; and 6 victories and three defeats will see Australia at 68.18%.
For New Zealand, of their remaining 10 Tests – 2 vs India (home), 4 vs Australia (away), 2 vs Sri Lanka (home), 2 vs Pakistan away) – the Kiwis would want to win a minimum of 5 and draw one in order to keep their PCT over 60. 7 wins out of 10 matches will all but guarantee a place in the ICC WTC final for New Zealand.
ICC World Test Championship: When is the ICC WTC final 2027?
The ICC WTC final 2027 is scheduled to be played from June 9 at The Oval cricket ground in London. The WTC final this time will not be played at Lord’s, where South Africa beat Australia in 2025.
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