In a stunning twist in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 cycle, Team India’s hard-fought victory over England has come at an unexpected cost — and the points table shake-up has left fans shell-shocked. Despite defeating England convincingly in the latest Test, India’s percentage points took a hit, leaving their WTC final hopes hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, England’s loss has deepened their crisis, and a new team has surged to the No. 1 spot in the standings.
According to the latest updated WTC points table released by the ICC, India’s penalty for a slow over-rate during the match has resulted in a deduction of crucial WTC points. Although Rohit Sharma’s men dominated England on the field, the match referee fined the Indian team and docked them 2 WTC points for failing to maintain the required over rate. This penalty has drastically reduced India’s points percentage, which is the key parameter in WTC rankings.
This unexpected setback means India now sits precariously in third place on the WTC table, despite winning the series. Fans are outraged, with many pointing out that over-rate penalties have disproportionately hurt several teams in this cycle, turning the WTC race into a game of calculations rather than pure cricketing merit.
Meanwhile, England’s humiliating loss has seen their WTC campaign nosedive even further. After the defeat, their points percentage dropped below 25%, effectively pushing them to the bottom half of the table and leaving them almost out of contention for a place in the WTC final. Pundits have slammed England’s batting collapses and bowling indiscipline, calling it one of their worst Test tours in recent memory.
The big beneficiary of this dramatic points reshuffle is Australia. Thanks to their consistent performances and fewer penalties, Pat Cummins’ side has now officially climbed to the No. 1 spot in the WTC points table, overtaking South Africa. Australia’s solid away record and disciplined on-field behavior have allowed them to keep their points percentage high, making them strong favorites to secure a place in the WTC final.
Social media has exploded with heated discussions over India’s predicament. Fans have flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with hashtags like #WTCPointsDrama and #UnfairPenalties, demanding that the ICC revisit its over-rate rules. Some former cricketers argue that slow over-rate penalties shouldn’t carry such heavy consequences in an era dominated by aggressive batting and flat pitches.
As the WTC cycle heads into its second half, every run, wicket, and over bowled will have massive implications for the top teams. India will need near-perfect performances — and strict discipline on over rates — in their remaining matches to stay in the race for the final. Meanwhile, Australia’s firm grip at the top puts them in pole position, but any slip-ups could turn the table once again.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates and in-depth analysis of the thrilling WTC 2025 race!