How India Can Replace Australia As Number One Team In WTC Points Table - REPORT

Here's how India can replace the Australian side as the number one team in WTC Standings. Read below.

Australia are the reigning champions of the World Test Championship

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India Vs England Test Series: India is set to take on England in the upcoming five-match Test series as both sides gear to improve their ranking in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings which is currently being led by the reigning and defending champions, Australia. The Pat Cummins-led side thumped and outclassed the Indian side in the WTC Final back in June 2023 to become the first nation ever to be a Grand Slam champion. 

With stakes high and onus on both the sides to perform well, it'll be interesting to see how both the sides will turn up as the cricketing fans await an eventful series about to unfold before their eyes. Both the sides have announced their squads for the upcoming Test series and will feature many big names.

An action-packed Test series coming 🆙

Check out #TeamIndia's squad for the first two Tests against England 👌👌#INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/vaP4JmVsGP

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 12, 2024

Hard at work 💪

Watch our full seven-minute training edit from Abu Dhabi as we get set and ready for a BIG series 📺👇

📍 Zayed Cricket Stadium#EnglandCricket | #INDvENG

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 19, 2024

England's Squad For Test Series Against India

• Ben Stokes (c)
• Zack Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Joe Root
• Ollie Pope
• Harry Brook
• Ben Foakes
• Jonny Bairstow (wk)
• Rehan Ahmed
• Shoaib Bashir
• James Anderson
• Gus Atkinson
• Mark Wood
• Jack Leach
• Ollie Robinson
• Tom Hartley

 

Here's How India Can Replace Australia As Number One Side In WTC Standings

India can replace Australia under very difficult circumstances as England is a very tough nut to crack and given the fact that England still remains the last side to beat India at their home in Test series. For each win, a team is awarded 12 points, and 4 for a draw, 6 for a tie. India currently has 26 points in their bag, while Australia have 66. Australia are highly expected to thump a dismal West Indian side in the second Test as well to record 78 points.

But however, points aren't the deciding factor in WTC standings, it is the Points Percentage System that determines the position. So India needs to make sure that they atleast win 3-4 matches because after the conclusion of the Test series, India will have 9 matches as contested, whereas Australia will have 10, which is an advantage for India. So even if India wins 3 matches, they'll register minimum 36 points, which will take them to minimum 62 points.

A win gives 100% in the PCT tally, a tie gives 50%, and a draw gives 33.33%. So, India needs to register atleast 3 wins to attain 300, and avoiding a defeat will grant them additional 66.66%.