England’s Victory Boosts WTC Ranking, Pushes India Down

LONDON (IANS)- England’s dramatic 22-run win over India at Lord’s not only leveled the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 2-1 but also significantly altered the World Test Championship standings. In a match filled with tension, skill, and emotional swings, England held their nerve on Day 5 to successfully defend a modest target of 193, bowling India out for 170 in the final session.

The result had immediate implications in the WTC 2025–27 cycle. England, entering the Test with a points percentage (PCT) of 50, now leapfrogged India to move into joint second on the table. Their PCT jumped to 66.67, placing them level with Sri Lanka and trailing only Australia, who currently lead the standings with a perfect record.

Conversely, India slipped from second to fourth. With just one win from three matches, their PCT dropped to 33.33. The only teams currently below them are Bangladesh, with 16.67 from two games, and West Indies, who remain winless after two Tests. The remaining four teams — South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — are either yet to play a full series or are mid-series, so their positions remain fluid.

The Test match at Lord’s was a rare spectacle, with both sides finishing with identical first-innings totals of 387. Joe Root’s 104, supported by contributions from Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse, set the platform for England. India responded through K.L. Rahul’s century, Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 74, and Ravindra Jadeja’s composed 72. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and Washington Sundar’s second-innings 4/22 showcased India’s fighting spirit.

However, in the final innings, India were undone by early strikes from Archer, Stokes, and Carse, collapsing to 58/4 by stumps on Day 4. Jadeja attempted to shepherd the lower order, sharing valiant stands with Bumrah and Siraj, but a freak dismissal—Siraj padding a ball that rolled back onto the stumps—ended the resistance, leaving India 22 runs short.

With two matches still to play in the series, both teams remain firmly in contention, not just for the series win but also for crucial WTC points.