The ICC is considering expanding the World Test Championship to include Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland, with a proposal to be presented to the Board of Directors.
'If you end up finding yourself in the position where you happen to be in that World Test Championship final, then it is great, but it is a real weird one knowing that you are playing for something over a long period of time.'
There was much criticism of how South Africa managed to reach the final without playing either Australia and England in the two-year qualifying period.
The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played at the iconic Lord's cricket ground from June 11 to 15 next year.
England have called up pacer Sonny Baker to their squad for the second ICC World Test Championship clash against Pakistan, replacing Brydon Carse, who has been omitted while the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) investigates an incident from the weekend.
The points table of the ICC World Test Championship.
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 16-member squad for the first Test against India, featuring the return of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history, surpassing Shubman Gill, and also overtook MS Dhoni as India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.
Rishabh Pant has surpassed Adam Gilchrist to become the third-highest six-hitter in Test cricket, achieving the feat during India's second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam sustained a hand injury during a warm-up match, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.
Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has become the leading wicket-taker in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history, surpassing teammates Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Australia has announced a 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against Bangladesh, featuring the return of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon from injury. The series, part of the World Test Championship, sees competition for fast bowling spots with Scott Boland's strong performance, while Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green retain their places despite recent struggles. The squad aims to solidify Australia's top position in the WTC standings.
India captain Shubman Gill has indicated that Prasidh Krishna is likely to share the new ball with Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming first Test against Sri Lanka.
In the World Test Championship final in June, New Zealand, in all likelihood, will meet either India or England, who will clash in a four-Test series, starting on Friday.
Bangladesh have moved above India to fourth position in the ICC World Test Championship standings after securing a historic nine-wicket victory against Australia in the first Test in Darwin.
Southampton's Utilita Bowl will host a men's Ashes Test for the first time in 2025, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the concurrent scheduling of the men's and women's Ashes series against Australia, mirroring the successful 2023 format.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, powered by Tanzid Hasan's century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul.
The Oval in London has been confirmed as the venue for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship Final, scheduled from June 9-13. This marks the second time The Oval will host the final, having previously done so in 2023. Nine teams are currently competing in the ongoing WTC cycle, with Australia leading the standings, followed by South Africa and New Zealand, as the race intensifies with crucial upcoming series.
Former head coach Rahul Dravid believes India have 'fallen behind' in the World Test Championship final qualification race, highlighting the upcoming New Zealand series as a significant challenge for the young team.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Eran Wickramaratne, chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee, has called for a revision of the ICC's Future Tours Programme to allow Sri Lanka to play more Test matches against cricketing powerhouses like India, England, and Australia, citing the financial dependence on India and the desire to excel in the format.
Pakistan slipped to eighth in the World Test Championship standings following their 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence in his team's readiness for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15. Gambhir also welcomed new squad members Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi, emphasising the team's preparation for their first ICC World Test Championship assignment since a previous home defeat.
Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Simran Singhi, and Kavipriya Selvam are set to make their BWF World Championships debut as India hosts the prestigious badminton event after 17 years, offering a significant platform for these rising stars.
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando have been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and received one demerit point each for 'inappropriate physical contact' during the second Test in Colombo.
Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, expresses comfort with his leadership role and highlights the team's progress. He acknowledges the challenge of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, requiring significant wins in upcoming matches. Gill also discusses the honour of leading India in its 600th Test and shares insights on playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
India's two-Test series against hosts Sri Lanka will be played in Galle and Colombo from August 15 to 27.
From his iconic Melbourne centuries to Lord's heroics, revisit Ajinkya Rahane's five greatest Test knocks that shaped his remarkable India career.
India Test captain Shubman Gill sustained two painful blows to his right hand during a training session in Colombo, just before a warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI. Despite initial concerns, assessments suggest no serious damage, allowing Gill to continue preparations for the upcoming World Test Championship series.
India captain Virat Kohli says the competition in the traditional format has "gone up two-fold" in recent years.
'There's a lot of pressure on him, and there's a lot of pressure on this series as well, because it's crucial for India's chances in the WTC.'
Two-time finalists India are placed fifth and face a challenging path to secure a top-two finish.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to make his return to Test cricket against Sri Lanka, a team he has historically performed well against, bringing significant experience in both batting and bowling to the Indian squad.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam confirmed that Shan Masood fractured his finger during the first ICC World Test Championship match against the West Indies, contributing to Pakistan's 90-run defeat. The injury forced Masood to bat at No. 8, and Babar highlighted the team's top-order batting failures and lack of partnerships. West Indies' Justin Greaves was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.
The era of 'randomly' scheduling bilateral series is over, but the ODI format can continue to survive and thrive with its place 'inextricably' linked to the World Cup, said ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta in an interview to PTI.
Aakash Chopra believes India faces a challenging path to the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 final, even if they register a 2-0 series sweep in Sri Lanka.
Gambhir strongly advocates three-Test series, arguing they give teams that lose the opening match a genuine opportunity to recover, compete harder and still win the series.
With Kuldeep Yadav looking ineffective, India could look towards including off-spinner Saransh Jain in the playing XI in the second Test in Colombo, especially looking at three left-handers in the Sri Lankan top seven.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has endorsed the ICC's new rule allowing pink balls in day Tests to mitigate bad light issues, seeing it as a crucial opportunity for teams to secure results, especially with World Test Championship implications.
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is 'extremely optimistic and well-prepared' for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, believing that runs will flow if he trusts his game, despite a recent drought of Test centuries.
