On Tuesday, September 3, the ICC made an exciting announcement: the 2025 World Test Championship Final will be hosted at Lord’s Cricket Ground beginning June 11, 2025. This iconic venue will stage what promises to be a historic showdown between the top teams of the longest format of the game. With just over nine months remaining until this eagerly awaited event, the race to qualify for the WTC Final is heating up. Teams from around the world are fighting fiercely for a coveted spot in this prestigious contest. In this analysis, we explore the current standings, key performances, and what lies ahead in the cycle as teams jockey for position.
India – 68.52% of Possible Points (1st)
India, the two-time WTC finalists, currently leads the standings with an impressive 68.52% of possible points. Having finished as runners-up in both the 2021 and 2023 finals, Rohit Sharma’s side is driven by a burning desire to claim the WTC title for the first time in 2025, which would be a monumental achievement for Indian cricket.
India has been in exceptional form throughout the ongoing cycle, securing six wins from nine matches. Their campaign began with a 1-0 series win over the West Indies, followed by a tough challenge in South Africa where they leveled the series 1-1. Back home, India has been nearly unbeatable, although they faced a challenge from England’s Bazball strategy, which saw India lose the first Test but bounce back to win the series 4-1.
With 10 matches remaining, half of which will be played at home, India’s prospects of securing a spot in the final remain strong. Key upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand are critical, but the real test will come in the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, which may ultimately determine the top two teams.
Australia – 62.50% of Possible Points (2nd)
The reigning WTC champions, Australia, are on track for a second consecutive final appearance. Under Pat Cummins’ leadership, Australia has remained a formidable force in Test cricket. They began their current cycle with a hard-fought five-match series against England, winning the first two Tests before drawing the third. They faltered in the final two matches, sparking concerns over their consistency.
Upon returning home, Australia made quick work of Pakistan with a 3-0 series sweep, followed by a hard-fought victory over the West Indies. However, Shamar Joseph led a surprise defeat in the second Test of the West Indies series. Despite this setback, Australia remains in second place with a 62.5% points percentage.
With seven matches remaining—five against India at home and two against Sri Lanka away—Australia’s path to the final is clear. The Border-Gavaskar series will be pivotal in determining their fate, as a series win over India would give them a strong chance to qualify for the final.
New Zealand – 50% of Possible Points (3rd)
The 2021 WTC winners, New Zealand, have had a mixed run in the 2023-25 cycle. They have had some notable results, such as a draw against Bangladesh and a dominant performance against South Africa at home, but struggled against Australia in both home Tests. Their remaining matches—particularly in Sri Lanka and India—will be crucial.
New Zealand’s spinners will be key to their success in Asian conditions, and they’ll need to adapt quickly to different playing environments. Their best possible finish stands at 78.57%, meaning that with some strong performances, they could remain in the race for a final spot. Adapting to challenging conditions and ensuring consistency in their away series will be vital for Tim Southee’s men.
Bangladesh – 45.83% of Possible Points (4th)
Bangladesh has surprised many by climbing to fourth in the standings, thanks to a 2-0 series win over Pakistan. This marked their first-ever series victory over Pakistan, a monumental achievement for the team. Despite a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka, the win against Pakistan has reignited Bangladesh’s hopes of qualifying for the final.
Bangladesh’s remaining fixtures include crucial series against India, South Africa, and West Indies. With a best possible finish of 69.23%, their path to qualification is still possible, but they must capitalize on every opportunity. Their ability to perform in high-pressure matches, particularly against top-tier teams, will be pivotal in determining their fate.
Sri Lanka – 42.86% of Possible Points (5th)
Sri Lanka has shown glimpses of brilliance, notably with a victory over England in the third Test. This win allowed them to leapfrog England into fifth place in the standings. With four home matches remaining, Sri Lanka has a golden opportunity to push for a final spot, especially in series against New Zealand and Australia.
Sri Lanka’s best possible finish is 69.23%, and they will be keen to leverage their home advantage against the top sides. Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne will be key to their success in the remaining cycle.
England – 42.19% of Possible Points (6th)
England, known for their aggressive “Bazball” approach, have had an inconsistent run in the current WTC cycle. Despite wins over Sri Lanka and West Indies at home, they suffered setbacks against Australia and India. Their best finish could still improve if India and Australia drop points, opening up chances for a comeback.
England’s upcoming series against Pakistan and New Zealand will be crucial. Their aggressive style of play could still turn the tide in their favor if they can string together consistent results.
South Africa – 38.89% of Possible Points (7th)
South Africa has had a tough time in the cycle, especially after losing to both India and New Zealand. However, their recent victory against West Indies has bolstered their chances. With matches against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan remaining, they still have a chance to climb the standings.
Their best possible finish stands at 69.44%, meaning that they can still be in contention for the final if they perform well in the coming series.
Pakistan – 19.05% of Possible Points (8th)
Under new coach Jason Gillespie, Pakistan is focused on rebuilding, with a strong emphasis on nurturing young talent. However, they have struggled in the current cycle, with a particularly poor performance against Bangladesh at home. With tough series against England and South Africa ahead, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the final are slim.
Their best possible finish of 59.52% reflects their challenging road ahead. They will need a dramatic turnaround to make a meaningful impact in the remaining matches.
West Indies – 18.52% of Possible Points (9th)
The West Indies have had a disappointing cycle so far, despite a historic win over Australia in Brisbane. Their struggles in earlier series, coupled with upcoming fixtures against Bangladesh and Pakistan, make their road to the final an uphill battle. With a best possible finish of 43.59%, they will need to improve drastically to salvage any hope of qualification.
What Can We Expect from the Remaining Matches?
With several teams fighting for the coveted spots in the WTC Final, the remaining matches are set to be crucial. Every point will matter as we approach the final stages of the cycle, and fans can expect thrilling, high-stakes contests. The race to Lord’s has never been more intense, and the drama will unfold as the teams fight for supremacy in the ultimate test of their cricketing mettle.
**Who do you think will secure a spot in the World Test Championship Final? As the drama unfolds, every match will be pivotal in shaping the WTC prediction landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as the battle for Lord’s heats up.
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