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New Delhi. The Indian cricket team’s difficulties in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) appear to be steadily increasing. After the initial matches, Team India has slipped to fifth place in terms of points percentage, and now faces a daunting challenge to remain in contention for the final. India has played nine Test matches so far, winning four, and its points percentage (PCT) is 48.15. Currently, India trails even Bangladesh. Consequently, every WTC match has become a do-or-die situation for Team India.

The Indian team still has nine Test matches remaining in this cycle. If the team manages to win all of its remaining matches, its PCT could reach around 74.07. This figure could put it in a very strong position in the race for the final. However, the problem is that all the upcoming matches will not be easy. India will first tour Sri Lanka, where two Test matches will be played. Spin bowling has always been challenging in Sri Lankan conditions, and the Galle pitch is expected to test the Indian batsmen.

After Sri Lanka, the Indian team will tour New Zealand, playing two Test matches there. The conditions in New Zealand could also be challenging for the Indian team. The Indian batsmen will have to face the new ball in conditions conducive to fast bowling. Following this, India will play a five-match Test series against Australia. Australia is one of the strongest teams in the current WTC cycle, and this five-Test series against them could prove to be a major test for India.

The biggest risk for India now is that even a single defeat could significantly lower its points percentage. If the team loses one of its remaining nine matches, its PCT could drop to around 68.5. Two defeats could push this figure to around 62.9, and three defeats could push it to around 57.41. Consequently, the outcome of even one match could significantly impact India’s position in the race for the final.

Looking at the current points table, Australia leads with 87.50 points. South Africa is second with 75 points, while New Zealand is third with 72.22 points. Bangladesh is ahead of India with 58.33 points. This means that India will need to perform well in its remaining matches while also monitoring the results of other teams. If any of the top teams lose points consistently, India could benefit from it.

In the WTC, a win earns 12 points, while a draw awards both teams 4 points each, and the losing team receives no points. This point percentage plays a crucial role in determining the final standings of teams. Therefore, even a draw will no longer be as beneficial for India as a consecutive win.

The biggest challenge now facing the Shubman Gill-led Indian team is maintaining its winning streak. From the two Tests in Sri Lanka to the five matches against New Zealand and Australia, the team will face constant pressure. Indian batsmen will need to be prepared for both spin and fast bowling, while the bowlers will need to deliver decisive performances in every match.

Overall, the picture for India in the WTC 2025-27 is clear. The path to the final is not yet closed, but the margin for error remains very limited. If India wins its remaining nine Tests consistently, its chances of reaching the final will remain strong, but as the number of defeats increases, the equation will become more difficult. Now, every Test for Team India will not be just a match but a major step towards the WTC final.