The ICC World Test Championship is currently in an interesting position, with the finalists from the previous edition occupying the top two spots in the standings. The tournament is set to take a short break as the focus shifts to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June.
India and Australia face tough competition for their positions.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka both have a point percentage of 50%, putting them in close competition. Other teams lower down the table may still have a chance of reaching the final, with several key series remaining before the final showdown in mid-2025.
India
The remaining series include Bangladesh (2 Tests, home), New Zealand (3 Tests, home), and Australia (5 Tests, away).
India began the cycle with a 1-0 series victory in the West Indies, followed by a hard-fought series draw in South Africa. Upon returning home for a five-match Test series against England, India suffered a significant blow with a loss in the first Test. Despite the absence of several key players, they managed to win each of the next four Tests and climb to the top of the WTC25 standings.
India has the opportunity to solidify their position at the top of the rankings with five home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand. The focus will be on the five-match away series in Australia, where they have recently had success.
Australia
India (5 Tests, home) and Sri Lanka (2 Tests, away) are the remaining opponents for Australia, the defending champions.
They started the cycle with a grueling five-match Test series against a rejuvenated England away from home and managed to retain the Ashes with a 2-2 series scoreline.
A 3-0 series win over Pakistan at home saw Australia climb to the top of the table, but they dropped crucial points due to a shock Test loss to a Shamar Joseph-inspired West Indies. The series ended 1-1 but Australia swiftly recovered to secure a 2-0 away triumph over New Zealand.
They face tough tests ahead, including two away Tests against Sri Lanka in the sub-continent, following their five-match home Test series against India, a team they have struggled against in recent times.
New Zealand
They have three upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka (2 Tests, away), India (3 Tests, away), and England (3 Tests, home).
Despite blanking a second-string South African Test side at home, they haven't quite been at their best otherwise.
New Zealand drew a two-match Test series in Bangladesh before being beaten 2-0 at home by Australia.
In the upcoming cycle, they will face significant challenges, including a three-match away series in India, three home Tests against England, and two Tests in the sub-continent when they tour Sri Lanka. Their last and only Test series win in Sri Lanka came in 1984.
Sri Lanka
The remaining series include New Zealand (2 Tests at home), England (3 Tests away), South Africa (2 Tests away), and Australia (2 Tests at home).
Sri Lanka will be encouraged by their recent 2-0 Test series victory in Bangladesh, which has moved them up the standings ahead of more challenging assignments in the cycle.
Although they suffered an early setback with a 2-0 loss to Pakistan at home, they have since won three consecutive Tests against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, placing them in the top half of the standings.
Their prospects of finishing within the top two could be seriously dented by the five big away Test matches in England and South Africa.
The home assignments won't be any easier either, with Australia and New Zealand scheduled to tour the island nation during the cycle.
Pakistan
Pakistan started the cycle with a terrific 2-0 victory over Sri Lanka in their home ground. They lost all three Test matches in Australia despite putting up a strong fight.
They still have four Test series remaining, out of which three are at home against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies.
The away series in South Africa in December-January will be their toughest challenge.
West Indies
The Remaining series include England (3 Tests, away), Bangladesh (2 Tests, home), South Africa (2 Tests, home), and Pakistan (2 Tests, away).
West Indies made a strong impression during the cycle with a Test win in Australia. Although one of the two home Tests against India ended in a draw due to rain, it was during the tour Down Under that West Indies truly showcased their impressive pace attack.
If West Indies can win three out of their four home Tests against Bangladesh and South Africa, they could put themselves in a favourable position.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh have a tough road ahead to reach the World Test Championship final, with series remaining against India (2 Tests, away), Pakistan (2 Tests, away), South Africa (2 Tests, home), and West Indies (2 Tests, away).
Despite starting the cycle with back-to-back Test wins against Afghanistan and New Zealand, they lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka at home.
The Tigers will aim to earn some points from the two-match home series against the Proteas.
South Africa
South Africa is currently eighth in the WTC25 standings, but they have a chance to improve their position in the current World Test Championship cycle.
They will face relatively lower-ranked opposition in their upcoming series, with two Tests away against West Indies and Bangladesh, and two Tests at home against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, all of which are Asian teams.
South Africa's hopes of reaching the final were significantly dented by a 2-0 away series loss to New Zealand with a weakened squad. However, a strong second half of the cycle could enable them to compete with some of the top teams in the table.
England
The remaining series include West Indies (3 Tests, home), Sri Lanka (3 Tests, home), Pakistan (3 Tests, away), and New Zealand (3 Tests, away).
England finished the previous World Test Championship with five consecutive Test wins under a new regime led by the impressive partnership of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. A hard-fought Ashes at home saw them level the series, but they suffered a significant setback when they were penalised 19 World Test Championship (WTC) points for maintaining a slow over-rate.
Following a 4-1 loss to India on home soil, England now sits at the bottom of the points table. They face two upcoming home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka, as well as challenging away fixtures against Pakistan and New Zealand.