WTC race heats up: India aim for crucial points at home as South Africa arrives for two-Test battle | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: As India prepares to host reigning World Test Championship (WTC) winners South Africa in a high-stakes two-Test series beginning on November 14 at Eden Gardens, the battle for the top spots in the 2025-2027 WTC cycle is set to intensify. With every point crucial in the race to the 2027 final at Lord’s, both teams have plenty to play for.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!India currently sit third in the WTC table with a points percentage of 61.90%, having drawn 2-2 in England and swept West Indies 2-0 at home earlier this year. Shubman Gill (946 runs) and Mohammed Siraj (33 wickets) lead India’s batting and bowling charts respectively this cycle. The upcoming series against South Africa will test India’s mettle against a team that has long been one of its most formidable challengers.
South Africa, on the other hand, are in fourth place with a points percentage of 50% after sharing their only series so far against Pakistan (1-1). The defending champions, led by Tony de Zorzi (175 runs) and Simon Harmer (13 wickets), will look to build momentum early in the cycle as they chase back-to-back WTC final appearances.The series – which will be played in Kolkata and Guwahati – also marks the first time since 2019 that South Africa has played Tests on Indian soil. The conditions should strongly favor the effects, but the Indian battery, led by Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, remains just as powerful.
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For India, a good performance against the Proteas will be vital ahead of their grueling five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia next year. With series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand still to come, early domination at home could go a long way in sealing a third place in the WTC final.Elsewhere in the rankings, Australia top the table with a perfect 100% record after sweeping away the West Indies, followed by Sri Lanka with 66.67%. England, Pakistan and Bangladesh are trailing as they prepare for key series later in the cycle.The clash between India and South Africa is more than just a testing contest: it’s a battle between past and present WTC finalists, each aiming to cement their place in the top half of the table.
