India pulled off one of the closest finishes in modern Test history over England, winning by six runs in the fifth and final Test match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The result not only helped them level the series 2-2 but shakes up the latest World Test Championship points table once more.
The victory in this gripping contest, decided on Day 5, has catapulted India up the WTC table, with England experiencing a drop after failing to see through what looked like a routine chase at one point.
The five-day battle in England’s backyard was a Test match for the ages. Defending a target of 374, India needed every ounce of grit to close out a game that looked to be slipping away when Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) put on a century stand for England. Mohammed Siraj (5-104) had other plans, though, as he knocked over Gus Atkinson to complete a memorable finish.
India’s remarkable win, has earned them 12 crucial points, moving them into the top three of the World Test Championship points table. England, meanwhile, will rue the points docked by the ICC for the slow over rate which has caused them to fall behind in this early race for the next WTC final.
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Deductions | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 3 | India | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 46.67 |
| 4 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 43.33 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 6 | West Indies | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 9 | South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
India’s World Test Championship will continue in October when they face West Indies in a two test match series while things are only going to get tougher for England as their next test outing will be against Australia during The Ashes starting November.
The World Test Championship 2025-27 is starting to hit its stride and if the opening games are any indication, it promises to be a memorable one.