India has taken the lead in the ICC World Test Championship Points Table (WTC) after a seven-wicket win against South Africa on Thursday (January 4). At Newlands, India secured their first-ever Test victory thanks to remarkable bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
With this win, India drew level in the two-match Test series with South Africa, both teams collecting 12 points each. India’s rise from sixth to first place happened right after their victory at Newlands.
| Team | PCT (%) | PTS | W | L | D | |
| 1 | India | 54.16 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | South Africa | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Australia | 50.00 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 50.00 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 45.83 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | West Indies | 16.67 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 8 | England | 15.00 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 00.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
India now holds a points percentage of 54.17 after playing four matches. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team has clinched two wins, faced one loss, and settled for a draw in four games. Meanwhile, South Africa dropped from the top to the fifth spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table, their points percentage slipping from 100 to 50.
New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh also have a 50% points tally. The lower four teams in the standings are Pakistan, West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka.
Australia is on the brink of potentially claiming the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table. If they triumph in the ongoing third Test against Pakistan in Sydney, their points percentage will climb from 50 to 56.25.
Australia’s strong performance in the first two Tests against Pakistan suggests they might continue their dominance in the New Year’s Test match in Sydney. As of the second day’s play, Australia trails by 197 runs in the first innings, with eight wickets remaining.
Should the third Test between Australia and Pakistan end in a draw, Australia would slip to fifth place, with their points percentage dropping to 47.92.
If Pakistan either draws or loses, they will maintain their sixth position. However, a victory could potentially propel them to the number one spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.
It’s worth noting that Test cricket saw a historic moment with the conclusion of the second Test between South Africa and India, wrapping up in just 642 balls (107 overs).
This match became one of the shortest Test matches with a result in terms of the number of balls bowled, with the previous record held by the Test between Australia and South Africa in 1932, ending in 656 balls (109.2 overs).