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India's Results In 1st Match Of Every WTC Cycle After Shubman Gill And Co Lost To England

Abhinav Tyagi

Shubman Gill's India - (Source: AP)Shubman Gill's India - (Source: AP)

On Tuesday, June 24, England handed India a five-wicket defeat at Headingley, Leeds, leaving the visitors trailing 0-1 in the series. The loss also marks a disappointing start to the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for India.

The Shubman Gill-led side, runners-up in the first two editions of the WTC, missed out on the final in the third edition and finished third on the table. In the ongoing cycle, India are currently placed fourth.

This article revisits how India began their WTC journey in each of the previous three editions.

2019–2021 WTC Cycle

India’s first assignment in the inaugural WTC cycle was a tour of the West Indies from August 22 to September 3, 2019. The Virat Kohli-led side opened their campaign at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, where they registered a comfortable 318-run victory.

India batted first and posted 297 runs, thanks to half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja. In reply, the West Indies were bowled out for 222, with Ishant Sharma claiming a five-wicket haul.

With a 75-run lead, India declared their second innings at 343/7, setting the hosts a target of 419. The Windies crumbled to 100 all out, as Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass with a five-wicket haul.

2021–2023 WTC Cycle

India began the 2021–2023 WTC cycle with a Test against England from August 4–8, 2021, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The match ended in a draw.

England batted first and were dismissed for 183, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami sharing seven wickets. India responded with 278, courtesy of fifties from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja.

The hosts piled on 303 in their second innings, led by a century from then-captain Joe Root. India were set a target of 209 but rain disrupted play, resulting in a draw as the visitors finished at 52/1.

2023–2025 WTC Cycle

India’s first assignment in the third WTC cycle was once again against the West Indies. The match was nearly perfect for the visitors, who secured an innings and 141-run victory.

The hosts batted first and managed only 150, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking five wickets. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, both struck centuries, enabling the team to declare with a 270-run lead.

The West Indies were bowled out for 130 in their second innings, losing by an innings and 114 runs. Ashwin again starred with the ball, taking seven wickets.