The 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle is fast approaching a crucial stage, where every Test match matters and every team is fighting for a place in the final at Lord’s in 2027. With 27 series and 71 matches remaining, the race to qualify is becoming intense. The early performances have already set the stage for a dramatic contest, with some teams making strong statements while others will have to fight their way back. As the competition heats up, all eyes are on the key series that will determine the contenders for the coveted WTC Final berth.
1. Australia
Innocent beginning but the final test lies ahead
Australia have made a great start to their WTC campaign and claimed the top spot with 100% points percentage (PCT) after clean sweeping West Indies in the Caribbean. His impeccable performances have put him in a strong position, but the real test is yet to come.
Their upcoming five-match Ashes series against arch-rivals England, starting in Perth on November 21, will be the defining moment of the cycle. Australia have a strong record at home, having won the last two Ashes series 4-0 and they will be hoping for a similar result to keep their momentum going. After the Ashes, Australia face a big clash with India in 2026, a series that could have a massive impact on the qualification hopes of both teams.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 3
- Victory: 3
- Points Percentage (PCT): 100%
- Leading run-scorer: Travis Head (224 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Mitchell Starc (15 wickets)
remaining series
- England (5)-house
- new zealand (4)- away
- bangladesh (2)-house
- South Africa (3)-far
- India (5)- away
2. Sri Lanka
Impressive start but tough challenges ahead
Sri Lanka have made an impressive start to their campaign with a PCT of 66.67% after a close 1-0 series win over Bangladesh in June. Their top performers, Pathum Nissanka and Tharindu Ratnayake, have been instrumental in putting the team in a strong position early on.
However, Sri Lanka’s future is not easy. Their upcoming tours of the West Indies and Pakistan in 2026 will test their mettle, while home series against India and South Africa could make or break their qualification hopes. With a busy schedule of challenging opponents, Sri Lanka will have to find their best form to stay in the race.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 2
- Victory: 1
- Points Percentage (PCT): 66.67%
- Leading run-scorer: Pathum Nissanka (369 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Tharindu Ratnayake (9 wickets)
remaining series
- India (2) – Home
- South Africa (2) – Home
- West Indies (2) – away
- Pakistan (2) – away
- New Zealand (2) – away
3. India
On the verge of big opportunities
Two-time WTC runners-up India have made a strong start with a PCT of 61.90%, but their fate will largely depend on the series ahead. After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, they dominated the West Indies 2-0 on home soil. Their next big challenge comes with a crucial two-match series against South Africa at home from November 14, which could take them up the rankings. However, it is the five-match series against Australia in 2026 that will be the decisive series for India’s qualification hopes. If they can deal with these tough challenges, they will have a strong chance in the finals.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 7
- Victory: 4
- Points Percentage (PCT): 61.90%
- Leading run-scorer: Shubman Gill (946 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Mohammad Siraj (33 wickets)
remaining series
- South Africa (2) – Home
- Australia (5) – Home
- Sri Lanka (2) – away
- New Zealand (2) – away
4. South Africa
Strong at home but tests outside may define their destiny
South Africa are currently placed fourth with a PCT of 50%, and while they have shown resilience in the 1-1 series draw against Pakistan, their upcoming two-match series starting in India from November 14 is crucial. A positive result in India will boost their hopes considerably as they later have friendly home series against Australia, Bangladesh and England. But to keep their qualification hopes alive, they need to maximize their points from these tough matches.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 2
- Victory: 1
- Points Percentage (PCT): 50%
- Leading run-scorer: Tony De Zorzi (175 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Simon Harmer (13 wickets)
remaining series
- Australia (3) – Home
- Bangladesh (2) – Home
- England (3) – Home
- India (2) – away
- Sri Lanka (2) – away
5. Pakistan
There are challenging tours ahead but there is a long way to go
Pakistan begin their campaign with a split series against South Africa, but their qualification hopes will depend on improving their performances in the overseas series scheduled for 2026. They will face tough opponents in Bangladesh, West Indies and England, and to stay in the race, they will need to pick up points on these challenging tours. Their future is full of opportunities, but they must take advantage of every opportunity to avoid falling behind in the rankings.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 2
- Victory: 1
- Points Percentage (PCT): 50%
- Leading run-scorer: Shan Masood, Agha Salman (140 runs each)
- Leading wicket takers: Noman Ali (14 wickets)
remaining series
- Sri Lanka (2) – Home
- New Zealand (2) – Home
- Bangladesh (2) – away
- West Indies (2) – away
- England (3) – away
6. England
Ashes decider: Can England overcome their Australian struggles?
England have got off to a mixed start with a 2-2 draw against India at home, but their qualification chances largely depend on the outcome of the five-match Ashes series in Australia starting on November 21. Historically, England have struggled in Australia, and a poor result here could seriously hamper their WTC ambitions. Their performance in the home series against New Zealand and Pakistan will also play a key role in gathering enough points to stay in the race.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 5
- Victory: 2
- Points Percentage (PCT): 43.33%
- Leading run-scorer: Joe Root (537 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Josh Tongue (19 wickets)
remaining series
- New Zealand (3) – Home
- Pakistan (3)-Home
- Australia (5) – away
- South Africa (3) – away
- Bangladesh (2) – away
7. Bangladesh
Struggling for points but their home series is important
Bangladesh are at the bottom with only 16.67% PCT, but they still have opportunities, especially with home series against West Indies and England in 2026. They will also travel to Pakistan and South Africa, where any points earned will be crucial. If Bangladesh can pull off some upsets and pick up vital points from these upcoming home fixtures, they could be back in contention.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 2
- Victory: 0
- Points Percentage (PCT): 16.67%
- Leading run-scorer: Nazmul Hussain Shanto (300 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam (9 wickets each)
remaining series
- Pakistan (2) – away
- West Indies (2) – Home
- England (2) – Home
- South Africa (2) – away
- Australia (2) – away
8. New Zealand
Late start means they have to start strong
New Zealand, the inaugural WTC winners, are the only team to play the match in the 2025-2027 cycle. Their campaign will start with the home series against West Indies in December and they will have to work hard. Their tough series in England and Australia in 2026 will require strong performances if they are to mount a serious challenge for qualification.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 0
- Victory: 0
- Points Percentage (PCT): 0%
- Leading run-scorer: N/A
- Leading wicket takers: N/A
remaining series
- West Indies (3) – Home
- India (2) – Home
- Sri Lanka (2) – Home
- England (3) – away
- Australia (4) – away
9. West Indies
The clock is ticking: Can West Indies break their losing streak?
West Indies are yet to win in the cycle, currently sitting at the bottom with a 0% PCT. They have lost all their series so far and will be hoping to break their losing streak during their upcoming three-match series in New Zealand. West Indies will need to convert their “glimps” of form into consecutive wins if they are to avoid finishing last in the standings.
Major performances so far
- Matches played: 5
- Victory: 0
- Points Percentage (PCT): 0%
- Leading run-scorer: Shai Hope (279 runs)
- Leading wicket takers: Shamar Joseph (22 wickets)
remaining series
- Sri Lanka (2) – Home
- Pakistan (2) – Home
- New Zealand (3) – away
- Bangladesh (2) – away