England has secured the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings after a historic victory against India at the Headingley Test, marking their first win in the series. This triumph not only secured a 1-0 lead in the series but also propelled the English team to the top of the points table.
Sports News: England defeated India by 5 wickets on June 24th at the Headingley ground in Leeds, securing a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series. In this historic encounter, India had set England a challenging target of 371 runs, which the English batsmen effortlessly achieved.
सलामी batsman Ben Duckett was the hero of this victory, playing a stunning innings of 149 runs. His batting partner, Jack Crawley, also played a crucial role, scoring 65 runs off 68 balls. Captain Joe Root remained steadfast at the crease, scoring an unbeaten 53 runs off 84 balls and contributing to England’s win.
Chasing 371 Runs, Creates History
England successfully chased down a target of 371 runs against India in the first match of the five-match series. This is the second-largest successful chase ever recorded at the Headingley ground. Ben Duckett’s remarkable innings of 149 runs and the valuable contributions from Jack Crawley (65) and Joe Root (53) proved decisive.
This victory by England was significant for several reasons, including the successful chase of a large fourth innings against a formidable team like India, and establishing an early lead in the Test Championship. Following the win at Headingley, England earned 12 points and secured the number 1 position with a 100% win percentage (PCT%).
WTC Points Table
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | Win Percentage (%) |
| 1. | England | 1 | 1 | - | - | 12 | 100 |
| 2. | Bangladesh | 1 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 33.33 |
| 3. | Sri Lanka | 1 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 33.33 |
| 4. | India | 1 | - | 1 | - | 0 | 0 |
| 5. | Australia | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6. | New Zealand | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7. | Pakistan | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8. | South Africa | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9. | West Indies | - | - | - | - | - | - |
India’s Journey in WTC So Far
The Indian team has been a consistent contender in all three WTC cycles to date.
- 2019-21: Reached the final but lost to New Zealand.
- 2021-23: Played the final again, but suffered a defeat against Australia.
- 2023-25: Finished third and failed to qualify for the final.
- Now, India’s 2025-27 cycle began with a loss to England, which could further complicate their challenge.
Future Tests: Opportunity for India’s Return?
Following the loss in Headingley, India has four opportunities to regain momentum in the series. This series is not only about pride but also a significant chance to climb the WTC points table. The IND vs ENG Test series 2025 schedule:
- Second Test: July 2nd – 7th, Edgbaston (Birmingham)
- Third Test: July 10th – 14th, Lord’s (London)
- Fourth Test: July 23rd – 27th, Old Trafford (Manchester)
- Fifth Test: July 31st – 5th, Edgbaston (London)
The responsibility now falls on Indian captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid to rally the team. Particularly, considering the bowlers’ underwhelming performance in defending the 371-run target.
