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.
Sri Lanka has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Pakistan. Kusal Mendis will captain the side for the first time in Tests, taking over from Dhananjaya de Silva. The series, part of the WTC cycle, begins November 9 in Pakistan.
Top-order batter Kevin Wickham has received his first Test call-up for the West Indies' two-match series against Bangladesh. The squad sees changes with Shai Hope rested and Alzarri Joseph withdrawn due to workload management, replaced by Keemo Paul. John Campbell returns from injury, as West Indies aim to improve their ICC World Test Championship ranking.
The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played at the iconic Lord's cricket ground from June 11 to 15 next year.
The points table of the ICC World Test Championship.
India may rest Jasprit Bumrah for the New Zealand ODIs to keep him fresh for the crucial Test series as they chase a place in the World Test Championship final.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed his decision to retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that his country's potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not alter his plans. He believes WTC entry will significantly boost Zimbabwe's cricketing growth and also discussed the challenges of home advantage for the 2027 World Cup and highlighted promising young talents.
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.
Indian golf stars Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri will spearhead a 27-member Indian contingent at the USD four million DP World India Championship. They will compete against a formidable international field, including seven Major winners like Rory McIlroy, at the Delhi Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has strongly criticised current skipper Babar Azam following Pakistan's disastrous Test series against England. Akram questioned Babar's awareness of team changes and suggested he should not have taken on the captaincy again, especially after the team's poor performance and subsequent sanctions.
The draw in the second Test saw India miss out on a chance to improve their position in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
'Blessed with talented players': Imran Tahir backs South Africa's young core to shine at 2027 World Cup
Pakistan's cricket team has been fined 50 per cent of their match fee and docked 11 World Test Championship points due to a slow over-rate during their third Test against England in Birmingham, a match they lost by 8 wickets, contributing to a 0-3 series whitewash.
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.
Om Prakash Chouhan is the best-placed Indian golfer, tied fifth, after carding a four-under 68 on the rain-affected opening day of the USD 4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club. Play was suspended due to darkness, with Denmark's Niklas Nrgaard leading.
Pakistan slipped to eighth in the World Test Championship standings following their 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh.
India captain Virat Kohli says the competition in the traditional format has "gone up two-fold" in recent years.
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against Australia due to a right hamstring strain and faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the subsequent three-match Test series.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas expressed deep concern over the team's persistent issues, including poor fielding and an inexperienced pace attack, following their heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's, marking their 10th loss in 11 away Tests.
Mohammed Shami, despite being out of international contention since 2025, is making a strong case for a Test team comeback through his exceptional performances in domestic cricket.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 16-member squad for the first Test against India, featuring the return of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella.
Eugenio Chacarra of Spain holds a two-shot lead at the DP World India Championship after a strong third round was suspended due to fading light at the Delhi Golf Club on Saturday. Chacarra reached 14-under par, with compatriots Angel Hidalgo and Joost Luiten trailing at 12-under. The tournament has faced schedule disruptions due to earlier weather delays, setting up a demanding final day for players, including top contenders like Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, and Indian golfers led by Om Prakash Chouhan.
India are yet to drop a point in the nine-team championship, having won three series in a row.
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.
Shuffle in WTC Standings After Pakistan sanctions
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.
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.
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.
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has decided to send separate teams for the U23 and Senior World Wrestling Championships due to the short time gap between the two events, forcing wrestlers to choose which tournament to compete in. This decision aims to ensure optimal preparation and performance for both Indian teams.
New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke has been officially ruled out of the highly anticipated home series against India and is expected to return in late December.
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.
Kohli has no doubts that World Test Championship has added a context to the traditional format making the contests more exciting with points on offer.
Former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock has called for the use of pink balls in traditional daytime Test matches to reduce playing time lost due to bad light, following interruptions in the ongoing first Test between South Africa and Australia.
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.
Shukri Conrad has demanded sharper batting and greater mental toughness from South Africa after their 214-run defeat to Australia, urging composure over knee-jerk changes ahead of Sunday's second Test.
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.
Australia and South Africa are set to begin a three-match Test series in Durban, with both teams looking for a boost after recent setbacks. The pitch at Kingsmead is expected to favour spinners, a departure from South Africa's usual seamer-friendly conditions, potentially influencing team selections.
