All posts tagged: WTC

‘We are always optimistic. Till you have…’: Gambhir on India’s WTC chances | Cricket News

‘We are always optimistic. Till you have…’: Gambhir on India’s WTC chances | Cricket News

Published by Webster

5 min readUpdated: Jun 5, 2026 04:19 PM IST With the Shubman Gill led Indian team currently placed fifth in World Test Championships with four wins and four losses in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, the Indian team will need to win the two Tests during the New Zealand tour later this year as well the planned two Tests in Sri Lanka to have a chance to qualify for the final of the WTC. While the Indian team faces Afghanistan in the one-off Test at Mullanpur starting Saturday, the Test is not part of the WTC cycle. When asked how optimistic is the Indian team for qualifying for the WTC final, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir sounded optimistic and shared how the team believes that they can win the World Test Championship. “We are always optimistic. Till you have the opportunity to qualify for the World Test championship Final, you are always optimistic because we know the kind of quality we have and the kind of talent we have. I don’t think so there’s …

WTC Points Table update: Bangladesh overtake India with historic 2-0 win over Pakistan | Cricket News

WTC Points Table update: Bangladesh overtake India with historic 2-0 win over Pakistan | Cricket News

Published by Webster

2 min readUpdated: May 20, 2026 11:20 AM IST ICC World Test Championship (2025-27) Points Table update: Bangladesh achieved a landmark 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in Sylhet on Wednesday. In pursuit of a world record target of 437, Pakistan fell short in the opening session of the final day, conceding a 78-run defeat. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam walked away with figures of 6/120 as Pakistan were bundled out on 358 after Mohammad Rizwan fell short of a century on 94. The win catapulted Bangladesh to fifth spot in the standings after four matches in the season. They overtook India who have slipped to sixth spot with only 52 points in nine matches, suffering four losses. Bangladesh’s points percentage (PCT) of 58.33 placed them ahead of India, who stand at 48.15. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s freefall continued as their PCT dropped to 8.33 in four matches. Only the West Indies stand below Pakistan on the table with a meagre PCT of 4.17, losing seven of their eight matches this cycle. Bangladesh had won the rain-hit first Test …

WTC at stake, India could send 3-4 red-ball regulars with A Team to Sri Lanka | Cricket News

WTC at stake, India could send 3-4 red-ball regulars with A Team to Sri Lanka | Cricket News

Published by Webster

3 min readChennaiMay 14, 2026 08:52 PM IST With a busy international calendar set to commence days after the Indian Premier League concludes on May 31, India are already looking ahead for four important Tests series that line-up this year. With an important two-match Test series scheduled in Sri Lanka in August, India have slotted two India A fixtures in June and July and will also play a practice fixture in the island before the series commences. The Indian Express understands that the selectors are exploring the possibility of sending three-four Test specialists with the A team for at least one of the A team fixtures. Having played nine Test matches in the current World Test Championship cycle, India are in the fifth spot and face the danger of not qualifying for the final for the second consecutive edition. For India to stand a chance to remain in the hunt for the final showdown in England next year, they need to win at least three of the four Tests in Sri Lanka and New Zealand …

‘BCCI controls the ICC’: Simon Harmer on SA’s WTC final win and global cricket balance | Cricket News

‘BCCI controls the ICC’: Simon Harmer on SA’s WTC final win and global cricket balance | Cricket News

Published by Webster

3 min readMay 5, 2026 04:34 PM IST South African off-spinner Simon Harmer said that India’s dominance in world cricket was underpinned by its commercial and administrative power, arguing that South Africa’s World Test Championship (WTC) triumph had not significantly altered the global balance. South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to win the WTC final at Lord’s last year, their first major red-ball crown since readmission in 1991-92. “Because of their commercial power, they have all of the power,” Harmer told The Guardian. “The BCCI control the ICC. But what can we do? As a player, you just control the controllables. The only thing that changes the narrative is winning trophies.” Harmer was part of the South African side that defeated India 2-0 at home last year to inflict a second consecutive series loss at home on the Shubman Gill-led side. He expressed admiration for the current South African setup under head coach Shukri Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma, describing it as a side built on collective strength rather than star power. “That team …

‘You want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there?’: Robin Uthappa | Cricket News

‘You want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there?’: Robin Uthappa | Cricket News

Published by Webster

In 2025, India had not manage to reach the World Test Championship final for the first time since the inception of the competition, and one of the major setbacks India faced in the last cycle was losing 3-0 to New Zealand in home. In this cycle thus far, India has managed to draw 2-2 against England away from home and won a Test series against the West Indies in India. However, facing the current WTC champions, India slipped up at home yet again in Kolkata last week. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa questioned whether this team was ready for the WTC. “Visiting teams play lesser cricket than India and have far more time for preparation. There is too much cricket happening,” warned Uthappa on his YouTube channel. You are going with one size fits all and trying to produce results. There needs to be a sense of realism about the goal for the next two years.” “Yes, you want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there? Who is …

ICC WTC Points Table 2025-27 update: India slip to 4th in standings after Kolkata Test defeat, South Africa in top 2 | Cricket News

ICC WTC Points Table 2025-27 update: India slip to 4th in standings after Kolkata Test defeat, South Africa in top 2 | Cricket News

Published by Webster

ICC WTC 2025-2027 Updated Standings after IND vs SA 1st Test: India slipped down to the fourth position after suffering a fatal 30-run defeat to reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. Chasing 123 runs, India crumbled under pressure on a heavily spin-friendly wicket, crashing out for 93 runs. India had also landed another blow after losing Test skipper Shubman Gill to a neck spasm before the day’s play. Led by Proteas captain Temba Bavuma’s solid 55 not out, South Africa mustered 153 runs in the second innings. Bavuma was the only batter to cross more than 40 runs in the entire Test as the Saffers won their first Test in India in 15 years. India have now lost three Tests in the ongoing WTC cycle, following two losses in England earlier this year. Meanwhile, South Africa who began their title defence in Pakistan last month, has now won two of their three matches thus far, their 66.67 PCT placing them second only to Australia who have won all …

India vs South Africa: Temba Bavuma’s WTC champs get set for their hardest challenge | Cricket News

India vs South Africa: Temba Bavuma’s WTC champs get set for their hardest challenge | Cricket News

Published by Webster

Expeditions to the subcontinent seem longer than they actually are for visiting sides. South Africa, on the foothills of their 37-day trek in India, had spent 32 days in Pakistan, by the end of which they were utterly spent. Usually, the heat hits them first; mercifully, it’s late autumn in the eastern neck of India, where the visitors complete their Test engagements. But the humidity would be draining. Dust and congestion would vex them; gun-toting commandos would flank them, as they were in Pakistan, for coach Shukri Conrad to irritatingly quip: “You come here and all you ever see is armoured vehicles to and from the ground, and you stay in a hotel all day.” Or for batsman Tony de Zorzi to say, sighing: “You have to sleep a bit longer to make your days a bit shorter.” These are the challenges they would encounter even before they had stepped onto the cricket field. Before the thoroughbred pace pair of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah begin to hum their new-ball duet, before the dexterous spin …

Javagal Srinath Named Referee As ICC Announce Match Officials For WTC Final

Javagal Srinath Named Referee As ICC Announce Match Officials For WTC Final

Published by Webster

The Indian team may not have reached the World Test Championship final but former pacer Javagal Srinath will ensure the country’s presence in the upcoming marquee clash by serving as its match referee with WTC debutant Nitin Menon doing duty as the fourth umpire. England’s Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand will be the on-field umpires in the WTC final at Lord’s. Defending champions Australia will take on first-time finalists South Africa for the mace from June 11-15 at the hallowed venue. Richard Kettleborough, also from England, who has officiated in the finals of several marquee ICC events, including the Men’s World Cup and the Champions Trophy has been appointed as the TV umpire, after having played the same role in the inaugural WTC 2021 final between India and New Zealand. Menon has been named as the fourth umpire for the contest, after having served as the TV umpire for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2021. Illingworth will be making history in the ultimate Test, having stood as …

Huge Worry For Australia Ahead Of WTC Final. This Star Badly Out Of Form In County Cricket

Huge Worry For Australia Ahead Of WTC Final. This Star Badly Out Of Form In County Cricket

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Marnus Labuschagne’s blueprint to get valuable game time before Australia’s high-stakes World Test Championship final against South Africa next was scuppered yet again. Labuschagne, who appeared in his first of two County Championship fixtures for Glamorgan, continued to endure a dry spell with his bat in the second innings after a flop show in the first. The former world number one Test batter turned his focus to get some time on the crease before the blockbuster fixture against the Proteas, scheduled to take place from June 11. He joined County side Glamorgan for their two fixtures, looking to get a hang of the English conditions a bit early before Australia turns up to defend the prized WTC mace. After a duck in the first innings, Labuschagne continued his search for the purple patch after Glamorgan lost Zain ul Hassan cheaply in pursuit of a paltry 66-run target against Northamptonshire. Labuschagne lasted just eight deliveries as Ben Sanderson brought the curtains down on his innings and punched his return ticket on just 4(8). In …

Australia’s Batting Puzzle Deepens Ahead Of WTC Final Against South Africa

Australia’s Batting Puzzle Deepens Ahead Of WTC Final Against South Africa

Published by Webster

The battle for a spot in Australia’s top six for next month’s ICC World Test Championship Final has grown even more competitive, as several key contenders delivered mixed performances in England’s County Championship, as per the official website of ICC. Australia named their 15-player squad for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s last week and a host of their important batters are already in England preparing themselves for the one-off Test from June 11. Key batter Cameron Green boosted his chances of selection in Australia’s XI with a superb century for Gloucestershire in their four-day contest against Kent in Bristol to further strengthen his claims of a return to the Test arena for the first time in more than 15 months. Green has only just returned from back surgery, but looked in excellent touch for Gloucestershire as he scored his second century since arriving on English shores when amassing 128 from just 184 deliveries in his side’s first innings. The powerful right-hander hit 17 fours and one massive six …