News for '-wtc-cycle'

Change imminent in point system in next WTC cycle?

Change imminent in point system in next WTC cycle?

Rediff.com12 Apr 2025

The current WTC system awards the same number of points -- 12 for a win, six for a tie and four for a draw -- which has given rise to discontent that India, England and Australia -- the Big Three in cricket -- "are disadvantaged as they play more games against each other".

ICC set to approve 4-day Tests for 2027-29 WTC cycle

ICC set to approve 4-day Tests for 2027-29 WTC cycle

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

The ICC is ready to sanction four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle but India, Australia and England can still play the traditional five-day matches.

India slip below Pakistan in WTC rankings after loss to SA

India slip below Pakistan in WTC rankings after loss to SA

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship finals (WTC) took a major hit as they slipped to the fifth spot in standings following their embarrassing 0-2 series whitewash to South Africa at home.

Gautam Gambhir is going nowhere

Gautam Gambhir is going nowhere

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

This is India's second whitewash at home under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Big blow for India's WTC Final hopes!

Big blow for India's WTC Final hopes!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

India on Friday slipped a rung to sixth position on the World Test Championship standings after New Zealand's comprehensive nine-wicket victory against the West Indies in Wellington.

South Africa Tests crucial for India's WTC push: Siraj

South Africa Tests crucial for India's WTC push: Siraj

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Mohammed Siraj is confident of putting up a strong show against defending World Test Champions South Africa in the 'crucial' two-match series, starting in Kolkata, on Friday.

Rabada still doubtful; SA call up Ngidi for Guwahati Test

Rabada still doubtful; SA call up Ngidi for Guwahati Test

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Lungi Ngidi's call-up indicates that Kagiso Rabada, who missed the team's memorable win in Kolkata due to a rib injury, is still uncertain for the Guwahati Test

'We'll be ready for India's spin pitches': Bavuma eyes revenge

'We'll be ready for India's spin pitches': Bavuma eyes revenge

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

India have relied on their spin strength on rank turners to gain points in WTC cycles in the past but Gill has said he wants his side to play on tracks that offer equally to batters and bowlers.

Gill is the captain India has been waiting for ...

Gill is the captain India has been waiting for ...

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Ganguly lauded Gill's leadership during India's tour of England, noting the challenge of captaining at a young age in such conditions

ICC's two-tier WTC model gets a thumbs down

ICC's two-tier WTC model gets a thumbs down

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Two-tier Test system unlikely to take off; ICC eyes revival of ODI Super League

South Africa gear up for India's spin challenge

South Africa gear up for India's spin challenge

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

South Africa sharpen spin game in attacking net session ahead of Eden Test

'India must learn from NZ spin collapse'

'India must learn from NZ spin collapse'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Armed with a potent spin attack, taking on South Africa seems like competing against a "subcontinent team", Ten Doeschate said, admitting that they need to get better at negotiating the challenge posed by tweakers.

All eyes on Eden pitch as India face stern SA challenge

All eyes on Eden pitch as India face stern SA challenge

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.

'Over-rate rules unfair to pace-heavy attacks'

'Over-rate rules unfair to pace-heavy attacks'

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The over rate regulations must be modified according to the playing conditions in different continents, England Test captain Ben Stokes said on Tuesday, arguing that current rules unfairly penalise pace-heavy attacks.

Khawaja, Cummins will go milestone chasing at WTC Final

Khawaja, Cummins will go milestone chasing at WTC Final

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Australia will be aiming to become the first-ever side to defend their ICC WTC mace as they take on Proteas in the 'Ultimate Test' from June 11 onwards at Lord's.

Gill-Gambhir Chat Sparks Captaincy Buzz!

Gill-Gambhir Chat Sparks Captaincy Buzz!

Rediff.com17 May 2025

With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, all eyes are now on who will lead India into a new red-ball era.

SEE: India's WTC Era Begins with Train Ride to Leeds

SEE: India's WTC Era Begins with Train Ride to Leeds

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

On Tuesday evening, Gill led his team and support staff into West Yorkshire, travelling via a special train arranged from London.

England vs India Tests to kick off second WTC cycle

England vs India Tests to kick off second WTC cycle

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

The five-match Test series between India and England, starting on August 4, will start the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

Australia, Windies Square Off With Eyes On Future

Australia, Windies Square Off With Eyes On Future

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Change will be a key theme for both the West Indies and Australia in their upcoming three-Test series in the Caribbean with the visitors set to field a remodelled batting line-up and the hosts being led out for the first time by Roston Chase.

Why England to continue hosting WTC finals

Why England to continue hosting WTC finals

Rediff.com20 Jul 2025

'We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals.'

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

2-tier Test system; T20 WC expansion: Key points of ICC meeting

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The much-debated idea of a two-tier Test system, expansion of the T20 World Cup and ratification of new members are some of the topics that will be discussed in depth during the four-day AGM of the International Cricket Council.

Aus veteran Khawaja ready to mentor teenager Konstas

Aus veteran Khawaja ready to mentor teenager Konstas

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Konstas has been drafted in to replace Marnus Labuschagne, who opened in the World Test Championship final alongside Khawaja but failed to impress as Australia lost to South Africa by five wickets.

'A master and a gem': Gambhir, Pant salute Rohit

'A master and a gem': Gambhir, Pant salute Rohit

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Hours after Rohit made his understated retirement announcement on Instagram, Gambhir put the speculation to rest with a glowing tribute

Root has legends Tendulkar, Dravid in his sights

Root has legends Tendulkar, Dravid in his sights

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

Joe Root is not only inching closer to Sachin Tendulkar's World record tally of 15,921 Test runs, he also has a shot at overtaking Rahul Dravid's record for the highest-ever batting average in India-England Tests.

Massive purse prize for WTC winners

Massive purse prize for WTC winners

Rediff.com15 May 2025

The 2025 final will be played between Australia and South Africa at Lord's from June 11.

Rabada returns! SA name squad for WTC Final vs Aus

Rabada returns! SA name squad for WTC Final vs Aus

Rediff.com13 May 2025

Rabada spent a month on the sidelines at the Indian Premier League after testing positive for a recreational drug at this year's SA20 competition.

Why England should fear Yashasvi Jaiswal

Why England should fear Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Plenty of hopes will rest on the young shoulders of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who, at the age of just 23, has earned a reputation as one of the world's best openers in the longest format of the game.

Why Australia are the favourites to retain WTC title

Why Australia are the favourites to retain WTC title

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Australia will have to dust off the cobwebs but are still fancied to successfully defend their World Test Championship crown against equally ring-rusty South Africa in the final at Lord's.

Australia set to rejig top order after WTC humiliation

Australia set to rejig top order after WTC humiliation

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald hinted at a rejig in the top order after misfiring in the World Test Championship final defence against South Africa at Lord's.

WTC Final: Australia to have a new opening pair!

WTC Final: Australia to have a new opening pair!

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.

Javagal Srinath named match referee for WTC final

Javagal Srinath named match referee for WTC final

Rediff.com23 May 2025

England's Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand will be the on-field umpires in the WTC final at Lord's.

A tour of the WI, SA and Australia part of India's WTC cycle

A tour of the WI, SA and Australia part of India's WTC cycle

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

The structure of the nine-team WTC remains intact with each side playing three home and as many away series over a two-year period culminating in the final of a one-off Test.

Will WTC 2025-27 cycle see bonus points for big wins?

Will WTC 2025-27 cycle see bonus points for big wins?

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

The ICC is considering awarding bonus points for innings victories or for a win above a certain big margin such as 100 runs.

Green returns from injury as Aus reveal WTC Final squad

Green returns from injury as Aus reveal WTC Final squad

Rediff.com13 May 2025

Skipper Pat Cummins, who missed the tour of Sri Lanka due to the birth of his second child in February and was also ruled out of the Champions Trophy campaign with an ankle injury, will take the reins against South Africa.

'Kohli's absence a bigger blow than Rohit's'

'Kohli's absence a bigger blow than Rohit's'

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

India will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the marquee Test series against England and the duo's recent retirement from the format will "hurt" the transitioning team's chances in the rubber starting on Friday, reckons the legendary Geoffrey Boycott.

NOT OUT! 'Bunny hops' boundary catches will be illegal!

NOT OUT! 'Bunny hops' boundary catches will be illegal!

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Boundary catches involving 'bunny hops', or multiple airborne touches outside the rope, have been deemed illegal by the Marylebone Cricket Club, with the new ruling set to be integrated into ICC's playing conditions this month and the MCC's laws from October next year.

England's secret weapon revealed for India Tests

England's secret weapon revealed for India Tests

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Ahead of England's five-match Test series against India at home, head coach Brendon McCullum hailed young all-rounder Jacob Bethell

'We are on a journey to becoming a great Australian team'

'We are on a journey to becoming a great Australian team'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Australia finished second in the league table during the 2023-25 WTC cycle, behind South Africa, having claimed 67.54 per cent of the points on offer to them.

Stay committed or step away, Waugh's advice to Rohit

Stay committed or step away, Waugh's advice to Rohit

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Australia legend Steve Waugh believes under-fire Rohit Sharma can't afford to be 'complacent or relax' if he wants to continue serving Indian cricket.

Why Gill feels Test win in SENA bigger than IPL title

Why Gill feels Test win in SENA bigger than IPL title

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

A Test series win in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa ranks as a "bigger" achievement than an IPL title, said India's new captain Shubman Gill on Thursday.