The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a two-year competition that determines the world champion of men’s Test cricket. Nine teams participate, each playing six Test series—three at home and three away. Teams receive 12 points for a win, six for a tie and four for a draw. The two teams with the highest Points Percentage (PCT) qualify for the final. New Zealand won in 2021, Australia in 2023 and South Africa in 2025.

Test cricket is the oldest and longest format of international cricket. A Test match can last up to five days, and winning requires skill, patience, consistency and teamwork.

For many years, Test teams played bilateral series without a single championship deciding the best team in the world.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the World Test Championship to change that.

The tournament gives greater importance to every Test match because results contribute to a common points table.

Even when a team has already lost a bilateral series, its remaining matches can still affect its chances of reaching the WTC final.

But how exactly does the World Test Championship work?

Why does the ICC use Points Percentage instead of total points? How many matches must a team win to qualify? And which countries have won the WTC trophy?

In this CricketGatha guide, we’ll explain the ICC World Test Championship format, points system, PCT calculation, qualification rules, participating teams, 2025–27 cycle and the complete history of all three WTC finals.

Last updated: 2 November 2026. This article explains the rules of the ongoing 2025–27 WTC cycle.

What Is the ICC World Test Championship?

The ICC World Test Championship is an international cricket competition organised by the International Cricket Council.

It was introduced to give Test cricket a world championship similar to the ODI and T20 World Cups.

However, the WTC is different from traditional World Cup tournaments.

Instead of playing all matches during a few weeks, teams compete in Test series over approximately two years.

These matches count towards a common championship table.

At the end of the league stage, the top two teams compete in a one-off final.

The winner becomes the ICC World Test Champion.

ICC World Test Championship: Quick Overview

When Did the World Test Championship Start?

The first ICC World Test Championship began in August 2019.

The opening series was the 2019 Ashes between England and Australia.

The competition was introduced to create a clear championship structure for Test cricket.

Previously, the ICC Test rankings identified the leading teams, but there was no regular final between the two strongest performers over a championship cycle.

The WTC added that final.

World Test Championship Timeline

The championship is organised in two-year cycles.

How Does the ICC World Test Championship Format Work?

The World Test Championship has two main stages.

League stage: Nine teams compete in selected bilateral Test series over approximately two years.

Final: The two teams with the highest Points Percentage meet in a one-off championship match.

Each participating team plays six series during a cycle.

Three series are played at home and three away.

However, teams do not play every other participant.

They face six of the other eight WTC teams.

WTC Format Explained Step by Step

1. Nine teams participate in the championship.
2. Each team plays six designated Test series.
3. Three series take place at home and three away.
4. Every Test match awards championship points.
5. Teams are ranked using Points Percentage.
6. Slow over-rate penalties can reduce a team’s points.
7. The top two teams qualify for the final.
8. The winner of the final receives the WTC mace.

How Many Matches Does Each Team Play?

There is no fixed number of Test matches for every team.

A series can contain two, three, four or five Tests.

For example, a team might play three two-match series, two three-match series and one five-match series.

Another team could have a different schedule.

This is one of the reasons why the WTC uses Points Percentage instead of simply ranking teams by total points.

Which Nine Teams Play in the World Test Championship?

Nine countries participate in the 2025–27 WTC cycle.

ICC WTC 2025–27 Participating Teams

These teams have participated in every WTC cycle so far.

Why Are Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan Not in the WTC?

Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan have Test status but are not among the nine WTC participants.

They can still play official Test matches.

However, those matches do not contribute to the World Test Championship points table.

Being a Test-playing nation does not automatically mean a team participates in the WTC.

ICC World Test Championship Points System Explained

The ICC uses a straightforward points system for the current championship.

Every Test match carries a maximum of 12 points for a team.

WTC Points Table Rules

The same points system applies to all participating teams.

How Many Points Does a Team Get for Winning a Test?

A team receives 12 points for a Test victory.

The losing team receives zero points.

How Many Points Are Awarded for a Draw?

Both teams receive four points when a Test ends in a draw.

How Many Points Are Awarded for a Tie?

Both teams receive six points when a Test ends in a tie.

A tied Test occurs when both teams finish with equal scores and all innings are completed according to the playing conditions.

What Happens When a Team Loses?

A team receives zero championship points for a loss.

However, the match still counts towards the maximum points available when calculating PCT.

What Is PCT in the World Test Championship?

PCT stands for Points Percentage.

It measures the percentage of available championship points a team has earned.

The ICC uses PCT to rank teams because they play different numbers of Test matches.

A team that plays 10 Tests should not automatically have an advantage over one that plays only six.

WTC PCT Formula

PCT = (Net points earned ÷ Maximum available points) × 100

Where:

• Net points earned means points from wins, draws and ties minus applicable penalties.
• Maximum available points means the number of Tests played multiplied by 12.

Example: How to Calculate WTC Points Percentage

Suppose India plays 10 Test matches with the following results:

Maximum available points:

10 × 12 = 120

PCT calculation:

(80 ÷ 120) × 100 = 66.67%

India’s Points Percentage would be 66.67%, assuming no penalty deductions.

Why Does the ICC Use PCT Instead of Total Points?

The ICC uses Points Percentage to make the competition fairer for teams playing different numbers of matches.

Consider this example:

Team A has more total points.

However, Team B has earned a higher percentage of the points available to it.

Therefore, Team B ranks above Team A.

This system rewards the proportion of available points earned rather than simply the number of matches played.

How Do Slow Over-Rate Penalties Affect WTC Points?

Teams must maintain the minimum required over rate during Test matches.

If a team falls short, the ICC can deduct championship points.

Under the 2025–27 competition terms, a team loses one point for each penalty over.

Example of a Slow Over-Rate Penalty

Suppose a team has:

• Six wins: 72 points
• Two draws: 8 points
• Two losses: 0 points

Total points before penalties: 80

Now suppose the team receives a two-point over-rate penalty.

Net points = 80 − 2 = 78

Maximum available points = 120

New PCT = (78 ÷ 120) × 100 = 65.00%

Without the penalty, the team’s PCT was 66.67%.

After the penalty, it drops to 65.00%.

This difference can be important in a close qualification race.

How Do Teams Qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

The top two teams in the WTC points table qualify for the final.

Qualification is based primarily on Points Percentage.

A team does not need to finish with the highest total number of wins or points.

It needs to finish among the top two teams by PCT.

WTC Final Qualification Rules

What Happens If Two Teams Have the Same PCT?

Under the 2025–27 competition terms, tied teams are separated using the following criteria, in order:

1. More series victories.
2. Higher away Points Percentage.
3. Higher position in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings on the specified competition date, if still tied.

These rules help determine the final league positions when teams finish with identical percentages.

How Many Test Matches Must India Win to Qualify for the WTC Final?

There is no fixed number of wins that guarantees qualification.

India’s chances depend on its Points Percentage and the results of other teams.

For example, a team that wins most of its matches may qualify comfortably.

But a team with several draws, defeats or over-rate penalties may struggle even after recording multiple victories.

The required PCT also changes as other teams complete their schedules.

Therefore, claims that India must win an exact number of remaining Tests should always be based on an updated points table and qualification calculation.

ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 Format

The 2025–27 cycle is the fourth edition of the championship.

It began in June 2025.

Nine teams are competing for two places in the 2027 final.

The format remains broadly consistent with the previous two cycles.

Each team plays six series, including three at home and three away.

WTC 2025–27 Key Details

How Many Tests Will India Play in WTC 2025–27?

India is scheduled to play 18 Tests during the cycle.

Nine are at home and nine are away.

Its opponents include England, West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia.

India’s WTC 2025–27 Test Series Schedule

India has six designated WTC series in the current cycle.

India World Test Championship 2025–27 Fixtures

The schedule includes major contests such as India’s tour of England and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

These matches will play an important role in determining India’s qualification chances.

ICC World Test Championship Winners List (2021–2025)

Three WTC finals have been completed.

New Zealand won the inaugural championship in 2021.

Australia became champions in 2023.

South Africa won the third edition in 2025.

Complete World Test Championship Winners and Runners-Up

As of November 2026, three different countries have won the WTC.

No team has won the championship twice.

ICC World Test Championship Final 2021: New Zealand vs India

The first WTC final took place at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England.

India faced New Zealand.

The match was affected by rain, and the reserve day was used.

India scored 217 in the first innings.

New Zealand replied with 249.

India then scored 170 in its second innings, leaving New Zealand a target of 139.

New Zealand successfully chased the target and won by eight wickets.

WTC Final 2021 Scorecard Summary

Who Won the First World Test Championship?

New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

Kane Williamson captained the winning team.

Kyle Jamieson received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding bowling.

ICC World Test Championship Final 2023: Australia vs India

The second WTC final was played at The Oval in London.

Australia faced India from 7 to 11 June 2023.

Australia produced a strong first-innings batting performance.

Travis Head scored 163, while Steve Smith made 121.

Australia posted 469.

India replied with 296.

Australia then declared at 270/8, setting India a target of 444.

India was bowled out for 234 in the fourth innings.

Australia won by 209 runs.

WTC Final 2023 Scorecard Summary

Who Captained Australia in the 2023 WTC Final?

Pat Cummins captained Australia.

Rohit Sharma led India.

Australia became the second team to win the World Test Championship.

For India, it was a second consecutive defeat in a WTC final.

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025: South Africa vs Australia

The third WTC final took place at Lord’s in London from 11 to 14 June 2025.

South Africa faced defending champions Australia.

The match became one of the most memorable finals in WTC history.

Australia scored 212 in the first innings.

South Africa replied with 138.

Australia then scored 207, setting South Africa a target of 282.

Aiden Markram produced a brilliant innings of 136.

Captain Temba Bavuma also contributed 66 runs.

South Africa reached 282/5 and won by five wickets.

WTC Final 2025 Scorecard Summary

Why Was South Africa’s 2025 WTC Victory Historic?

South Africa ended a 27-year wait for a major senior men’s ICC trophy.

Its previous major ICC title had come in the 1998 Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC KnockOut tournament.

The 2025 victory was also South Africa’s first World Test Championship title.

Aiden Markram’s 136 was the defining innings of the final.

World Test Championship Final History: Comparison

All Three WTC Finals at a Glance

The first three WTC finals produced three different champions.

India reached the first two finals but lost both.

Australia reached two finals, winning in 2023 and losing in 2025.

How Many Times Has India Reached the WTC Final?

India has reached the World Test Championship final twice.

The first appearance came in 2021 against New Zealand.

The second came in 2023 against Australia.

India lost both matches.

India’s WTC Final Record

India did not qualify for the 2025 final.

As of November 2026, India has not won the World Test Championship.

Which Team Has Won the Most WTC Titles?

No team has won the World Test Championship more than once.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have each won one title.

WTC Titles by Country

The 2027 final will determine the fourth WTC champion.

What Is the World Test Championship Mace?

The WTC mace is the trophy awarded to the World Test Championship winner.

It represents the highest achievement in the championship.

Before the WTC era, the ICC Test mace was associated with the team ranked No. 1 in Test cricket.

With the introduction of the championship, the mace became the prize presented to the WTC final winner.

Winning the mace means a team has become the World Test Champion for that cycle.

What Happens If the World Test Championship Final Ends in a Draw?

The WTC final is a single Test match.

If the final ends in a draw or tie, both teams are declared joint champions under the established championship rules.

The final does not use a Super Over to decide the winner.

Is There a Reserve Day for the WTC Final?

The WTC final can include a reserve day.

Its purpose is to recover playing time lost during the scheduled five days, subject to the applicable final playing conditions.

The reserve day is not automatically used simply because the match is heading towards a draw.

The exact arrangements for the 2027 final should be checked when the ICC publishes its final-specific playing conditions.

What Is the Difference Between a Draw and a Tie in Test Cricket?

A draw and a tie are different results.

Draw

A draw occurs when the scheduled playing time ends without either team achieving a victory.

For example, a team might be 250/6 while chasing 400 when the final day’s play ends.

The match is drawn.

Tie

A tie occurs when both teams finish with equal aggregate scores and the match reaches a completed result under the Laws of Cricket.

Tied Tests are extremely rare.

WTC Points for a Draw vs Tie

This distinction is important when calculating the championship table.

What Was the Original WTC Points System?

The first WTC cycle used a different points structure.

During the 2019–21 competition, each series was originally worth 120 points.

The points available per match depended on the number of matches in the series.

For example, a two-match series offered more points per Test than a five-match series.

This system was later changed.

Old vs New WTC Points System

The ICC introduced the 12-point system to make the scoring simpler and more consistent across series of different lengths.

WTC Points Table vs ICC Test Rankings: What’s the Difference?

The WTC points table and ICC Test rankings are not the same.

Both measure Test cricket performance, but they use different methods.

Comparison

A team can be ranked No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings without necessarily leading the WTC table.

Similarly, a team can qualify for the WTC final without being the highest-rated Test team.

Are All Test Matches Included in the WTC?

No.

Only designated Test matches between participating teams count towards the World Test Championship.

Some international Tests take place outside the championship.

For example, Tests involving nations outside the nine-team WTC competition do not earn WTC points.

Participating teams can also play Tests outside their designated championship series.

These matches still count as official Tests but not towards WTC standings.

Why Is the World Test Championship Important?

The World Test Championship has changed the context of international Test cricket.

It gives teams a common long-term objective.

1. Every Match Has Greater Importance

Even a match in a series that has already been decided can affect the WTC table.

This encourages teams to compete for points throughout a series.

2. It Creates a World Champion

The championship gives Test cricket a recognised global final.

Fans can follow the race for qualification over two years.

3. It Encourages Competitive Test Cricket

Teams have an incentive to pursue victories because a win earns more points than a draw.

However, a draw can still be valuable in the qualification race.

4. It Rewards Consistency

Teams must perform across several series and different playing conditions.

A single successful series is rarely enough to secure qualification.

5. It Builds Interest in Bilateral Series

Matches between teams outside a fan’s home country can still influence the qualification table.

This creates wider interest in international Test cricket.

What Are the Main Criticisms of the WTC Format?

Although the World Test Championship has become an important competition, its format has also attracted criticism.

Unequal Number of Matches

Teams play different numbers of Tests.

The PCT system addresses the scoring imbalance, but the schedule is not identical for every participant.

Not Every Team Plays Every Opponent

Each team faces only six of the other eight WTC participants.

This means teams can have different levels of difficulty in their schedules.

Home and Away Conditions

Some teams may face more challenging conditions depending on their opponents and venues.

One-Off Final

The entire two-year competition is decided by one Test.

A team that dominates the league stage can still lose the title in a single match.

Neutral-Venue Conditions

The final has traditionally been staged in England.

Some observers believe a neutral venue may still suit certain teams’ playing styles more than others.

These concerns are part of ongoing discussions about how the championship could evolve.

World Test Championship 2027: What Happens Next?

The 2025–27 WTC cycle will conclude with the fourth championship final.

Nine teams are competing for the two qualification positions.

South Africa enters the cycle as defending champion.

India, Australia, England, New Zealand and the other participating teams are also competing for a place in the final.

The qualification picture will continue to change as scheduled Test series are completed.

WTC 2027 Qualification Checklist

For the latest standings, fans should refer to the ICC’s official World Test Championship points table.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ICC World Test Championship

1. What is the ICC World Test Championship?

It is a two-year Test cricket competition organised by the ICC to determine the world champion of men’s Test cricket.

2. When did the WTC begin?

The first cycle began in August 2019.

3. How many teams participate in the WTC?

Nine teams participate.

4. How many Test series does each team play?

Each team plays six series.

5. How many home and away series does each team play?

Three home series and three away series.

6. How many points does a Test win earn?

A win earns 12 points.

7. How many points does a draw earn?

Each team receives four points.

8. How many points does a tie earn?

Each team receives six points.

9. How many points does a loss earn?

A loss earns zero points.

10. What is PCT in the WTC?

PCT means Points Percentage, which measures the percentage of available points a team has earned.

11. How is WTC PCT calculated?

Divide net points earned by maximum available points and multiply by 100.

12. Why does the WTC use PCT?

Because teams play different numbers of Test matches.

13. How many teams qualify for the WTC final?

The top two teams qualify.

14. Are there semifinals in the WTC?

No. The top two teams advance directly to the final.

15. Who won the first WTC final?

New Zealand defeated India in 2021.

16. Who won the WTC final in 2023?

Australia defeated India by 209 runs.

17. Who won the WTC final in 2025?

South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets.

18. Who is the defending World Test Champion in 2026?

South Africa.

19. Has India ever won the World Test Championship?

No. India reached the finals in 2021 and 2023 but lost both.

20. How many WTC finals has India played?

India has played two finals.

21. Which team has won the most WTC titles?

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have each won one title.

22. Who captained New Zealand in the 2021 final?

Kane Williamson.

23. Who captained Australia in the 2023 final?

Pat Cummins.

24. Who captained South Africa in the 2025 final?

Temba Bavuma.

25. Who was Player of the Match in the 2025 WTC final?

Aiden Markram, who scored 136 in South Africa’s successful chase.

26. What is the WTC mace?

It is the championship trophy awarded to the WTC winner.

27. What happens if the WTC final is drawn?

Both teams are declared joint champions under the established final rules.

28. Is there a Super Over in the WTC final?

No. The final follows Test cricket rules rather than a limited-overs Super Over system.

29. Does the WTC final have a reserve day?

A reserve day can be provided to recover lost playing time, subject to the final’s playing conditions.

30. Do slow over-rate penalties affect WTC qualification?

Yes. Point deductions reduce a team’s PCT.

31. How many points are deducted for a slow over rate?

One WTC point is deducted for each penalty over under the current competition terms.

32. Are Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan in the WTC?

No. They are Test-playing nations but are not participants in the nine-team championship.

33. Do all Test matches count towards the WTC?

No. Only designated WTC series count.

34. How many Tests will India play in WTC 2025–27?

India is scheduled to play 18 Tests.

35. When will the next WTC final take place?

The next final is scheduled for 2027.

Conclusion

The ICC World Test Championship has given Test cricket a structured global competition.

Nine teams compete over approximately two years, playing six designated series each.

Every Test result contributes to the championship standings.

Teams receive 12 points for a win, four for a draw and six for a tie.

The ICC uses Points Percentage to compare teams fairly despite differences in the number of matches played.

At the end of the league stage, the top two teams qualify for the final.

The championship has already produced three winners.

New Zealand won the first edition in 2021, Australia won in 2023 and South Africa became champions in 2025.

The ongoing 2025–27 cycle will determine the next World Test Champion.

The World Test Championship makes every run, wicket and Test result part of a larger race for cricket’s ultimate red-ball prize.

For more cricket records, Test match schedules, player statistics, WTC standings and international cricket guides, explore CricketGatha.

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