Why WTC Table Won't Change Despite India's Win Over Afghanistan

India defeated Afghanistan in one-off Test [Source: AFP]

India crushed Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs to win the one-off Test match at the Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh. 

However, despite emerging victorious in the Test match, India's position in the ICC WTC table remained unchanged. Shubman Gill's men maintained their sixth position in the World Test Championship standings with a PCT of 48.15. 

India thrash Afghanistan in one-off Test at Mullanpur Stadium

India showcased remarkable skill and resilience to thrash Afghanistan in the one-off Test match at the Mullanpur Stadium. 

After declaring their first innings on 564 for eight, the Indians bowled their counterparts out for a meagre 152-run total, with Manav Suthar registering a sensational six-wicket haul. 

As the hosts asked the Afghans to bat again, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led outfit put up another shambolic performance, surrendering to the Indian bowling unit for the second consecutive time. 

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While Manav Suthar emerged as Afghanistan's nemesis in the first innings, the tourists were absolutely destroyed by Washington Sundar in their second innings, as the off-spinner bagged four wickets. As a result, Afghanistan were bowled out for 112 runs and suffered a heavy defeat in the game.  

Why WTC table will remain unaltered despite India's win vs Afghanistan

As the one-off Test was not part of the World Test Championship cycle, India's position on the WTC table remained unaltered despite a clinical victory in the contest. The Shubman Gill-led side has won four of their nine fixtures in the ongoing WTC cycle. 

They began their WTC 2025-27 campaign with a fighting draw on English soil before suffering an embarrassing clean sweep against South Africa in their own backyard. Talking about the WTC table, Australia are currently placed at the top, with South Africa following them with a PCT of 75. 

Sri Lanka and New Zealand claim the third and fourth spots, respectively, with Bangladesh placed just over India with a PCT of 58.33. 

England improved their PCT from 31.67 to 37.88, consolidating the seventh position following their clinical win over New Zealand in the Lord's Test. Meanwhile, Pakistan and West Indies are the bottom-sitters in the WTC table, with PCTs of 8.33 and 4.17, respectively. 

India to get nine more Tests to turn WTC final dream into reality

India qualified for the World Test Championship final in the first two editions of the competition. However, New Zealand and Australia shattered their dream of clinching the prestigious WTC mace, defeating them in the 2021 and 2023 finals, respectively. 

Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team suffered a group-stage exit from the WTC 2023-25 after losing six of their last eight fixtures, including three in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. 

And considering how they have fared in the ongoing cycle, it won't be a walk in the park for the Shubman Gill-led team to qualify for the final. India are scheduled to play nine more Tests- two each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand and five against Australia. 

They must exhibit incredible consistency and win these games on the trot to pip their competitors, particularly Australia and South Africa, and make an appearance in the WTC final for the third time in history. 

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