ICC World Test Championship | India, Australia lose rung after Sri Lanka’s win at Galle

Sri Lanka thumped the high-flying Australians at Galle by an innings and 39 runs. The win by the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side levelled their two-match Test series against the visitors 1-1.

Sri Lanka’s win also catapulted them to number 3 on the ICC World Test Championship standings, displacing Pakistan, India and West Indies by a rung. Pat Cummins’ Australia also lost their number 1 spot on the table, with South Africa taking over the throne for the time being.

WTC standings gets compacted as collision course for title clash heats up

Following series wins at home over India and Bangladesh, the South Africans crawled their way to the top, enjoying a narrow lead over Australia at close second.

Asian giants Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India occupy the next three slots in that order, followed by West Indies at number 6.

The so-called ‘BazBall’ approach came a little too late for England as they languish at number 7, despite pulling off four sensational run-chases on the trot.

Surprisingly, defending champions New Zealand is struggling at eighth position on the points table. Ever since the ongoing cycle began last year, the Kiwis have only managed to secure two Test wins.

While Bangladesh remains the cellar-dwellers of the championship, they have slightly bettered their winless campaign of the previous edition.

Roadmap for Rohit Sharma and co. gets tougher

Each of the top five teams stand in with a chance to claim the elusive two spots for the championship final next year.

If the Indian team is to make an appearance in another WTC final, they will be needing to win each of their remaining six Tests in the ongoing cycle.

Their immediate assignment includes a two-match Test series in Bangladesh. The Rohit Sharma-led India will then host Australia for four Tests across February and March next year to cap their league stage of the tournament.