WTC 2025-2027: 18 Tests, Favourable Draw; Can India Go All The Way? (Source: AP)
India had a great chance to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final; however, back-to-back series defeats to New Zealand and Australia knocked them out. Australia tour was always going to be a challenge, and India were aware of that, but to lose 3-0 to New Zealand at home was shocking, to say the least.
India now set their sight on the WTC 2025-2027 cycle, which gets underway in June when India tour England for a five-match series. It won't be wrong to say that India's performance in England will determine their fate in the WTC. If the team can win the England series, they'll take a massive step towards the WTC final.
India's WTC 2025-2027 Cycle Schedule
After the England tour, India will host the West Indies for two Tests in October. There is a massive difference in quality between the two teams, and it'll need a mammoth effort from the West Indies to win the series. A clean sweep for India seems very likely given how the West Indies have fared in India in the last decade.
Following the West Indies series, India will host South Africa for two Tests. India are a brute force at home, and post the retirement of big guns, South Africa are going through a transition phase. Even though they have qualified for the WTC 2025 final against Australia, they'll need an extraordinary effort to pull off an upset against India.
India will next play a two-match away series against Sri Lanka, followed by a two-match series in New Zealand. The four Tests will be the only five-day games India will play in 2026. Indian batters in recent times have struggled against the spinners, and Sri Lanka could pose a threat in home conditions. Still, India should be good enough to win in Sri Lanka, given their superior quality and familiarity with the conditions. New Zealand also could challenge India, however, India are very capable of winning if they have a full-strength team available.
India's last series in the WTC 2025-2027 cycle will be against Australia at home. The five-match Test series should be competitive, but India will be big favourites to win. Given the schedule, the India tour of England will be pivotal to India's road to the final. If they win, they'll have a great chance to qualify, however, a defeat could be a significant blow.
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