The first match of the three-match Test series between India and New Zealand was held in Bengaluru. The first day of the Test was washed out due to rain, causing the match to take place from October 17 to October 20. New Zealand successfully won the match by 8 wickets. Following this victory, India faces a significant setback in its quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, while New Zealand has improved its position in the WTC 2023-2025 points table.
India’s Path to the WTC Final
With this loss, India must now win 5 out of its remaining 7 matches to secure a spot in the WTC final. Although the Indian team still tops the WTC points table, its lead has significantly diminished. India has two more Test matches against New Zealand, followed by a five-Test series against Australia at the end of the year.
Win Percentages After the First Test
After the defeat against New Zealand, India’s win percentage has dropped to 68.06%. To maintain its position for the WTC final, the team needs to perform better in the upcoming Test matches. With this victory, New Zealand has made a substantial leap in the WTC rankings, moving from sixth to fourth place, with a win percentage of 44.44%.
On the other hand, India’s closest rivals are Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia holds second place with a win percentage of 62.50%, while Sri Lanka is third with 55.56%.
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Current World Test Championship Points Table
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India (IND) | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 98 | 68.06 |
| 2 | Australia (AUS) | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 90 | 62.50 |
| 3 | Sri Lanka (SL) | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 60 | 55.56 |
| 4 | New Zealand (NZ) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 48 | 44.44 |
| 5 | England (ENG) | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 93 | 43.06 |
| 6 | South Africa (SA) | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 28 | 38.89 |
| 7 | Bangladesh (BAN) | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 33 | 34.38 |
| 8 | Pakistan (PAK) | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 28 | 25.93 |
| 9 | West Indies (WI) | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 18.52 |