England have made a commanding start to their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign with a five-wicket win over India in the opening Test at Headingley, Leeds. The victory has propelled them to the top of the WTC standings with 12 points and a perfect 100% points percentage (PCT), while India are yet to open their account.
Chasing a formidable 371-run target set by India, England’s top order laid a solid foundation. Ben Duckett’s magnificent 149* anchored the innings, ably supported by Zak Crawley (65) as the hosts reached 117/0 by lunch. Despite some resistance from the Indian bowling attack, including standout efforts from Jasprit Bumrah and others, England maintained composure in the middle order. Joe Root contributed a steady 53, while debutant Jamie Smith impressed with an unbeaten 36, guiding the team home at 365/5.
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India’s performance featured standout moments, particularly from KL Rahul, who scored a gritty 137, and Rishabh Pant, who registered twin centuries (118 in each innings). Their efforts, combined with disciplined bowling, had given India a real shot at defending the total. However, England’s measured chase proved decisive.
Also See: ICC World Test Championship Points Table 2025 – 2027 Standings and Rankings
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 100.00% |
| 2 | BAN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 33.33% |
| 3 | SL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 33.33% |
| 4 | IND | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 5-9 | AUS, NZ, PAK, SA, WI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
With the next Test scheduled for July 2–6 at Edgbaston, India now face the immediate task of reshaping their bowling strategy and regaining momentum. The early loss leaves them with ground to cover in a tightly contested WTC cycle, while England will look to consolidate their lead and build on their impressive start.
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