As the World Test Championship (WTC) games near their conclusion, South Africa, India, and Australia were positioned as the top two favourites.
Australia and South Africa have secured their spots in the WTC 2025 final. After defeating Pakistan in the opening Test, South Africa became the first side to go to the final, while Australia secured their spot with a 3-1 series victory over India.
Latest updated World Test Championship points table
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | NR | Points (PT) | Percentage (PCT) |
| 1 | South Africa | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 69.44 |
| 2 | Australia | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 130 | 63.73 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 114 | 50.00 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | West Indies | 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 44 | 28.21 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 27.98 |
South Africa (Selectable)
The first team to secure a berth in the 2025 WTC Final at the Lord’s was the Proteas.
Their WTC campaign got off to a fantastic start as they defeated India by an innings and thirty-two runs in the opening match. But they went on to lose three straight games.
The South Africans subsequently recovered with a series whitewash victory over Sri Lanka, two victories in Bangladesh, and a tie and victory away from home against the West Indies.
In ten games, the Proteas won seven, drew one, and lost three.
India
After losing the series to New Zealand 3-0 at home, India regained some optimism after their victory at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Regardless of the outcome of Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka, they will not be able to advance to the final at The Lord’s if they suffer three defeats and a draw in their following four games.
There is no chance of qualifying.
Australia (Eligible)
Australia confirmed their trip to the Lord’s for the 2025 World Test Championship final after South Africa’s Boxing Day Test.
They lost the first game of the series against India, but they recovered to win three games and draw the rest of the series in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. After defeating India in 2023, they now have an opportunity to defend their WTC championship.
Australia vs. Sri Lanka: Two Matches (A) Australia’s remaining series/games
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is essentially eliminated from contention for the World Test Championship final due to India’s defeat in the Sydney Test.
In the ideal situation, they would only move up to number three in the rankings, and any score against Australia would be meaningless.
Sri Lanka’s remaining games and series
Australia against. Sri Lanka: Two Games (H)
Two victories are needed from two games (and depend on other teams).
There is no chance of qualifying.
England
Of all the teams participating in the current WTC cycle, England has played the most games. In their 20 games thus far, Ben Stokes’ team has won 10 and lost 9.
With an 8-wicket victory against the Kiwis at Christchurch, the Englishmen, who themselves had no chance, spoilt New Zealand’s hopes of advancing to the final.
There is no chance of qualifying.
The New Zealand
With one game left in the campaign, the Black Caps have won seven and lost seven games.
Even though they had an opportunity to advance in a home series, they lost to the English in Wellington and Christchurch, which eliminated them from contention for the WTC final.
The remaining games and series in New Zealand
Needed wins from 0 games: N/A
There is no chance of qualifying.
Pakistan
In the current WTC cycle, Pakistan has participated in 14 games. They have nine losses and five victories. They dropped to ninth place on the WTC standings after their most recent series tie (1-1) with the West Indies.
On January 7, they suffered even more setback as the ICC penalised five WTC points, bringing their PCT down to 27.98 and causing them to finish last.
Pakistan’s remaining games and series
No wins from two games are necessary. N/A
There is no chance of qualifying.
Bangladesh
After defeating Pakistan 2-0 in the Away Tests series, Bangladesh moved up one position to eighth place in the standings.
They had already lost 0–2 to Sri Lanka, 0–2 to India, and then 0–2 to South Africa in a series, thus it hasn’t affected their destiny.
Bangladesh has a very little chance of reaching the WTC 2025 final; they need to win four of their last 0 games to be mathematically eliminated.
There is no chance of qualifying.
The West Indies
After winning their last match against Pakistan at Multan to tie the series, the West Indies end their WTC campaign in eighth place.
They finish the cycle with three victories, eight defeats, and two draws.
Remaining West Indies games and series
No wins from two games are necessary. N/A
There is no chance of qualifying.
