New Delhi: South Africa’s historic win over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final last weekend marked the end of a thrilling WTC cycle and the beginning of a new edition of the marquee red-ball ICC tournament. The two-Test affair between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the former’s home kicked off the WTC 2025-27 cycle with the first fixture beginning earlier today (June 17, Tuesday) at the Galle International Stadium.
The format of the World Test Championship remains the same, with each team playing six series – three at home and three away – comprising a different number of fixtures in the series. The unequal number of matches played by each team during the two-year cycle will be adjusted according to the PCT (percentage of points won).
Nine teams – Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan – will participate in the WTC 2025-27 cycle, with the top two in the standings facing off in the summit clash in 2027.
Big match-ups in the WTC 2025-27 cycle
Holders South Africa, who ended a 27-year trophy drought with their maiden WTC win, will open their 2025-27 campaign with an away series against Pakistan in October before travelling to India for a 2-Test affair in November.
Meanwhile, last edition’s runner-ups Australia will start the new cycle with a two-Test series in West Indies in June.
The first fixture (SL vs BAN) of the new WTC cycle overlaps with a five-Test series between England and India, who will lock horns at Headingley in the opener, followed by contests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval in the coming weeks.
India’s first challenge in the new WTC cycle is a stern one, albeit against a depleted English side, which is without some of their premier fast bowlers due to retirements/injuries.
Following the battle on English shores, India next face the West Indies to open their home season in October and then take on the defending champions, South Africa, a month later. India’s last series in the WTC 2025-27 cycle will be against the 2023 champions, Australia, at home. The Asian giants will play a total of 18 Tests in the third edition of the World Test Championship.
Here’s India’s full list of fixtures in WTC 2025-27
5-Test series vs England (Away) – June 2025
2-Test series vs West Indies (Home) – October 2025
2-Test series vs South Africa (Home) – November 2025
2-Test series vs Sri Lanka (Away) – August 2026
2-Test series vs New Zealand (Away) – October 2026
5-Test series vs Australia (Home) – January 2027
As a blockbuster new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins with the thrilling series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, let’s take a look at India’s fixtures and opponents in the 2025-27 edition of the marquee event. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
