The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle has produced its first viral moment. Pakistan, under Shan Masood, has temporarily leapfrogged past arch-rivals India in the points table, achieving a perfect 100% Points Percentage (PCT) after their sensational 93-run win against South Africa in Lahore. This sole victory, their first of the new cycle, sees them join Australia at the very top, while the Shubman Gill-led India side drops to fourth with a 61.90 PCT.
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However, let’s be honest: in the long, grinding marathon that is the WTC, an early lead based on a single match is simply beginner’s luck. The true measure of a team is consistency over two years, and India has already done the heavy lifting.
India has played 7 demanding matches in this cycle, enduring a far more rigorous early schedule than Pakistan. They began with a gruelling five-match away series in England that finished with a defiant 2-2 draw, earning them two wins, two losses, and a crucial draw. This was followed by a dominant 2-0 clean sweep at home against the West Indies after the Asia Cup. In total, India boasts a strong record of four wins, two losses, and one draw. A tricky tour and a clean sweep at home will lay the perfect foundation for a title charge.
The history of the World Test Championship offers a vivid reminder of where these two nations are likely to finish in 2027. India is the undisputed qualification juggernaut, reaching the Final in two of the last three cycles: they were Runners-up in the inaugural 2019-2021 edition and again Runners-up in the 2021-2023 edition. In the most recent 2023-2025 cycle, India narrowly missed the final, finishing a highly respectable 3rd place.
Pakistan, on the other hand, have failed to qualify for the WTC Finals in all three previous cycles. Most notably, in the recently concluded 2023-2025 cycle, Pakistan had a horrid campaign, finishing dead last at 9th position.
While Pakistan can celebrate their momentary peak, the complex schedule and the sheer volume of cricket ahead mean the standings will eventually normalise. With India's unparalleled strength in home conditions against top sides and their consistent overseas competitiveness, it is almost certain that India will finish higher than Pakistan when the WTC Cycle concludes in 2027.
