WTC Final 2025 Qualification Scenario: Who are Favourites to Reach Lord's Showdown in June?

WTC Final 2025 Qualification Scenario: As the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final draws closer, five nations—Australia, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and South Africa—remain in contention for the prestigious showdown at Lord's.

With a series of vital Tests ahead, each team's qualification path is distinct, based on the remaining matches and critical outcomes in other contests. But Before that let's take a look at the WTC 2023-25 Standings:

WTC Standings

Pos	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Draw	Ded	Points	PCT
1	AUS (Australia)	12	8	3	1	10	90	62.50
2	IND (India)	14	8	5	1	2	98	58.33
3	SL (Sri Lanka)	9	5	4	0	0	60	55.56
4	NZ (New Zealand)	11	6	5	0	0	72	54.55
5	SA (South Africa)	8	4	3	1	0	52	54.17
6	ENG (England)	19	9	9	1	19	93	40.79
7	PAK (Pakistan)	10	4	6	0	8	40	33.33
8	BAN (Bangladesh)	10	3	7	0	3	33	27.50
9	WI (West Indies)	9	1	6	2	0	20	18.52

Points System

12 points for a win
6 points for a tie
4 points for a draw
Teams are ranked according to the percentage of points won.
The Top two teams progress to the final at Lord's in 2025.
Point Deductions: Points are deducted for slow over rates

AUS - Leading the Race

Australia is currently leading the standings with a 62.50% points percentage. They require five wins from seven remaining matches to secure a spot in the final. If they manage only four wins, they will need support from other teams, particularly New Zealand or South Africa, to advance. Their remaining fixtures, including home and away series, are crucial.

IND - Crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India is placed second with a 58.33% points percentage. Their qualification depends heavily on winning or drawing the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A drawn series could still work for India, provided England defeats New Zealand and South Africa suffers multiple losses.

SL - Long Shot but Possible

Sri Lanka, with a 55.56% points percentage, faces a more difficult road. They must win their home series against Australia and at least one match against South Africa. A single win in each series could be enough, but they need other results to go in their favor.

NZ - Clean Sweep to Progress

New Zealand, with a 54.55% points percentage, can secure a place in the final by sweeping their home series against England. A 2-1 win might still suffice, but they cannot afford any slip-ups.

SA - Home Advantage

South Africa, with all their remaining tests at home, has a strong chance if they win at least three of their four matches. A clean sweep would guarantee their place in the final, while a loss could complicate matters.

With 14 critical matches left, the next few months will determine the teams vying for the WTC 2025 final at Lord's in June.