After two failed attempts, the India Cricket Team have once again begun their chase for the World Test Championship title. While they are still on top of the WTC Standings with a series win in West Indies, a win in IND vs SA Test series will not only help Rohit Sharma & Co end their 31-year drought but also consolidate that pole position. To confirm the third consecutive WTC Final entry, the South Africa vs India Test series will be crucial.
Team India are expected to win at home against England before the Border Gavaskar Trophy in December next year in Australia. And thus the two away series in South Africa and Australia become the determining factor for WTC Final 2025.
WTC Points Table 20223-25
With 66.67 percentage points, India are on top of the WTC Standings. Pakistan are second after the loss to Australia. New Zealand and Bangladesh occupy the third spot jointly. Defending World Test champions Australia are fifth for now with 41.67 percentage points.
Why is South Africa vs India crucial?
With two Test matches, more importantly away, the South Africa series will give India the cushion in the WTC Final 2025 race.
If Australia beat Pakistan in the remaining two Tests, they will climb to the second spot with 56.25 percentage points. If India lose to South Africa, they will slip to the fifth spot with 44.44 PCT. Another loss would put India at 33.33 PCT.
However, if India win the IND vs SA 1st Test, it will take their percentage points to 77.78, consolidating their spot on the top. A 1-0 series win in South Africa will help India secure 66.67 PCT while a 2-0 result will help India amass 83.33 PCT.
And with England set to tour India in January, India Cricket Team can build on the momentum in South Africa to put one foot in the WTC Final even a year to go.
India Test Schedule
- India vs South Africa: 2 matches
- India vs England: 5
- India vs Bangladesh: 2
- India vs New Zealand: 3
- Australia vs India: 5
India aim to break SA jinx
But before the WTC Standings come into Rohit Sharma’s mind, he will be aiming to break a 31-year-old jinx in the rainbow nation. South Africa is India’s final frontier as India have never won a Test series since 1992.
After Virat Kohli-led side failed in 2018 and 2022, it is now a chance for Rohit Sharma to become the first team to win a Test series in South Africa. India have managed to draw just a series back in 2010-11.
India’s Test series record in South Africa
| Season | Winner | Margin |
| 1992/93 | South Africa | 1-0 (4) |
| 1996/97 | South Africa | 2-0 (3) |
| 2001/02 | South Africa | 1-0 (2) |
| 2006/07 | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
| 2010/11 | Drawn | 1-1 (3) |
| 2013/14 | South Africa | 1-0 (2) |
| 2017/18 | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
| 2021/22 | South Africa | 2-1 (3) |
