India Climb Up To No.1 Spot In WTC 2023-25 Points Table

image-lq99rheyIndia hold No.1 spot in early days of WTC 2023-25 (Twitter)

Australia's resounding victory in the Perth Test at the start of the three-match series against Pakistan on Sunday (December 17) proved to be handy towards India's cause as the two-time World Test Championship (WTC) runners-up climbed up to the numero uno spot in the points table. 

The Rohit Sharma-led side benefitted from the neighbour's massive 360-run mauling at the hands of the Aussies and pipped them over towards the No.1 spot in the nine-team league table for the WTC 2023-25 cycle.

Still early days in the third edition of the premier Test competition, the Indian team holds a winning percentage of 66.67 after clinching a 1-0 series victory in their only assignment of the cycle so far in July during the tour of West Indies. 

Pakistan were originally ahead of Team India before the Australian series with two wins from their two Tests played on Sri Lankan shores earlier in the year. However, an embarrassing 89 all out in the final innings and a painstaking loss in Perth dropped them to second place. 

India Pip Over Pakistan To No.1 WTC Spot 

The Perth Test was critical for Pakistan to try and consolidate their No.1 standing. As it panned out, another comprehensive defeat on the Australian turf led them to a fall in the WTC 2023-25 points table and dropped them to the second spot behind arch-rivals India.

Despite a huge triumph, the Australians remained at fifth position in the standings after adding a third victory to their tally from six matches, including a 2-2 series draw in the Ashes 2023 played in June-July against England. 

Above them in the points table at third and fourth spots are New Zealand and Bangladesh with an identical points winning percentage of 50 after the two sides contested a levelled two-match Test series earlier in December. 

Below the team from Down Under are sixth-placed West Indies with 16.67% points after a 0-1 scoreline versus India, followed by England with 15% of winning points and two wins and as many defeats from five Ashes contests. 

Sri Lanka, placed eighth, are yet to get on board since suffering a 2-0 series whitewash at home against Pakistan while wooden spooners South Africa haven't opened their campaign so far.