India loosen grip on WTC Final spot after defeat against New Zealand in Bengaluru Test | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Sitting at the top on the ICC World Test Championship points table, India suffered a blow on Sunday as their loss against New Zealand in the thrilling first Test in Bengaluru meant they lost crucial percentage points.
As Kiwis won the rain-marred contest by eight wickets, they registered a famous first victory on Indian soil in 36 years.
Suffering their third loss of the 2023-2025 cycle, India (98 points) remain at the top of the standings but it has led to Rohit Sharma and Co.loosening their grip on the WTC Final spot.
Before the Bengaluru Test, India had a point percentage of 74.24 which dropped to 68.06 after the loss against the Kiwis.
The loss has major ramifications for India as second-placed Australia (98 points) get close to them on the basis of percentage points.
India and Australia (62.50 PCT) have 8 wins and three losses in 12 games and have drawn a Test each in this cycle.
Both the teams are new separated by 5.56 percentage points and 8 points.
India have two more Tests against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai, before they leave for a tough five-match series in Australia at the end of the year.
Sri Lanka, at the third spot, is the other close challenger for the WTC Final spot. They have 5 wins and 4 losses in 9 games and a percentage points of 55.56.
On the other hand, the historic win for New Zealand helped them jump from the sixth position on the WTC table to the fourth spot.
Tom Latham and co. now have 4 wins and 5 losses in 9 matches and 48 points to their name.
The inaugural WTC champions can still be in contention for a top two finish in the WTC standings as they have 2 matches against India, before hosting Ben Stokes-led England for three games.
England are fifth on the table with 9 wins and 8 defeats in 18 matches. They too have a drawn Test to their name.
South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies occupy the remaining four spots on the WTC Table.