The Indian cricket team secured their position at the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 points table with their convincing win against Australia in the first Test of the ongoing series. Captain Virat Kohli showed his batting prowess with an unbeaten century, breaking multiple records in the process. This win puts India in a strong position to qualify for the WTC 2025 final at Lord's next year.
Background
The World Test Championship (WTC) is an international cricket competition that was inaugurated in 2019. It is contested by the top nine Test-playing nations over a two-year cycle, with the winner qualifying for the final.
India's Resurgence
After a disappointing campaign in the inaugural WTC cycle, India has rebounded strongly in the current edition. Led by captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri, the team has won six out of seven matches so far, including a convincing victory over arch-rivals Australia in the first Test of the ongoing series.
Convincing Win against Australia
In the first Test against Australia, India batted first and posted a mammoth 571 runs for the loss of seven wickets, thanks to centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Australia were dismissed for 326 and 291 in their two innings, giving India a comfortable victory by 8 wickets.
Kohli's Record-Breaking Century
Virat Kohli was in sublime form in Adelaide, scoring an unbeaten 123 in India's first innings. This century marked several milestones for the Indian captain:
Top Position in Points Table
India's victory over Australia has propelled them to the top of the WTC points table with 75 percentage points. They are now well-placed to qualify for the WTC 2025 final at Lord's next year.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is the current World Test Champion?
2. Which team has won the most World Test Championships?
3. How many teams qualify for the WTC final?
4. Where will the WTC 2025 final be held?
5. Which team has the highest percentage points in the current WTC cycle?
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In a disappointing match for Newcastle United, manager Eddie Howe expressed his dismay with the final 30 minutes of his team's performance against West Ham, resulting in a 2-0 loss at St James' Park. Despite a strong start, the Magpies were unable to maintain their momentum and were ultimately defeated by a more cohesive West Ham side. Howe's critique highlights the importance of maintaining consistency and focus throughout the entire game.
The IPL 2025 mega auction saw established stars fail to land a franchise, with names like Steven Smith, Pathum Nissanka, and Gus Atkinson going unsold. The Punjab Kings made the first pick of the auction, choosing uncapped Harnoor Singh, while the Rajasthan Royals quickly signed Jammu and Kashmir's Yudhvir Charak. Meanwhile, left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh became a big buy for Chennai Super Kings after a bidding tussle.
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At just 13 years old, Bihar's Vaibhav Suryavanshi has already made waves in the world of cricket. On Monday, he became the youngest player ever to be auctioned in the Indian Premier League, where he was acquired by Rajasthan Royals for a hefty sum of Rs 1.10 crore. With impressive records and performances including the fastest century by an Indian in Under-19 Tests, Suryavanshi is a rising star to watch out for in the world of cricket.