Just days after South Africa lifted the World Test Championship (WTC) mace for the 2023–25 cycle, the ICC has wasted no time in rolling out the roadmap for the next one. The 2025–27 WTC cycle is officially here — and it promises more matches, bigger rivalries, and the start of a new chapter for Indian cricket.
🏏 71 Tests, 9 Teams, 1 Ultimate Goal
The upcoming WTC cycle will feature 71 Tests across nine teams, kicking off on June 17, 2025, with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in Galle. From there, the race to the top of the points table begins — and just like before, only the top two teams will qualify for the WTC Final, tentatively set for mid-2027 at Lord’s, London.
🇮🇳 India’s Campaign: New Captain, Familiar Fire
For Team India, this cycle marks more than just another tournament — it’s a fresh beginning. With Shubman Gill expected to take over as captain, Indian cricket enters a new leadership era, one that blends youth with experience and carries the hope of millions.
India’s journey starts on June 20, 2025, in Leeds — the first of five Tests against England in their backyard. Overall, India will play 18 Tests, with a hefty 10 matches at home — something that could be a massive advantage in the points table crunch.
🗓️ India’s WTC Schedule at a Glance
India’s Opponents:
🏴☠️ Away:
– vs England – 5 Tests
– vs New Zealand – 2 Tests
🏠 Home:
– vs Australia – 5 Tests
– vs South Africa – 2 Tests
– vs West Indies – 2 Tests
– vs Sri Lanka – 2 Tests
The 5-Test home series vs Australia will be a blockbuster — not just for bragging rights, but also for the valuable WTC points it offers. India will be looking to turn the tables after some tough contests in the past.
🌍 Who Plays the Most in This Cycle?
Here’s how the total Test count shapes up per team:
Australia – 22
England – 21
India – 18
New Zealand – 16
South Africa & West Indies – 14
Pakistan – 13
Sri Lanka & Bangladesh – 12 Each
