India stormed to the number one position in the latest ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 rankings after Australia defeated New Zealand by 172 runs in the first game of the two-match series between the two teams.

This victory at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Sunday, March 3, meant that New Zealand now have two losses and three wins in five games, and their percentage of points (POP) moved to 60, which was less than India’s 64.58.

POP and the number of points decide which team will remain at which position in the WTC points table.

Even if the Dharamsala Test ends in a draw and New Zealand wins, India will lose their top position.

ICC WTC 2023-25 Points Table

NO.	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	LOST	DRAW	POINT DEDUCTIONS	POINTS	POINT PERCENTAGE
2	INDIA	8	5	2	1	2	62	64.58
1	NEW ZEALAND	5	3	2	0	0	36	60
3	AUSTRALIA	11	7	3	1	10	78	59.09
4	BANGLADESH	2	1	1	0	0	12	50
5	PAKISTAN	5	2	3	0	2	22	36.66
6	WEST INDIES	4	1	2	1	0	16	33.33
7	SOUTH AFRICA	4	1	3	0	0	12	25
8	ENGLAND	9	3	5	1	19	21	19.44
9	SRI LANKA	2	0	2	0	0	0	0

Chances of Australia Reaching the Top of the WTC Points Table

If Australia goes on to win the Christchurch Test and India also wins the Dharamsala Test, then India will remain at the top of the points table. However, if India loses the Dharamsala Test, their POP will decrease to 57.04, while Australia’s will move to 62.5.

However, assuming that Australia draws the Christchurch Test and gets four points, their POP will move to 56.94, and they will not be able to cross India.

So, if Australia is to move to the top of the points table, they must win the Christchurch Test and hope that India loses in Dharamsala.