India’s cricket team has soared to the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC25) standings, following a remarkable seven-wicket victory against South Africa in Cape Town. This win, not only crucial in terms of points but also historic in its nature, has propelled India to the forefront in the ongoing WTC cycle.
The series between India and South Africa, which ended in a 1-1 draw, saw a dramatic shift in the WTC25 standings. South Africa, initially leading after their opening match win, saw their win percentage dip to 50% post the loss in Cape Town, aligning them with New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.
India’s resurgence in the series was nothing short of spectacular. Trailing 1-0, they staged a stunning comeback on the first day of the second Test, dismissing South Africa for a meager 55 runs. However, India’s own batting lineup suffered a collapse, ending at 153 all out from a promising 153/4.
Despite the batting falter, India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul, shone in the second innings, restricting South Africa to 176. Aiden Markram’s exceptional century stood out for the hosts, preventing a complete debacle.
The current ICC World Test Championship standings, powered by MRF Tyres, are as follows:
| POS | TEAM | PCT (%) | PTS | W | L | D | PEN |
| 1 | India | 54.16 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 2 | South Africa | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Australia | 50.00 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 1 | -10 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 45.83 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -2 |
| 7 | West Indies | 16.67 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | England | 15.00 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | -19 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
India’s final chase of 79 runs in the Cape Town Test was brisk, completing it in just 12 overs, albeit losing three wickets. This Test also set a record for being the shortest completed Test in terms of balls bowled, a mere 642, surpassing a 92-year-old record.
With the WTC25 cycle still in its early stages, India looks forward to accumulating more points in their upcoming home Test series against England, comprising five matches beginning January 25. This series represents a significant opportunity for India to solidify its position at the top of the WTC25 standings.
