India (Commonwealth) _ Test cricket saw an upheaval on Sunday, January 28, when West Indies and England emerged victorious on opposite sides of the world, upending the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. West Indies had their man of the moment, Shamar Joseph, to thank after he helped them overcome Australia for the first time since 1997 in their own home, while India suffered a historic setback after leading by 190 runs in the first innings.
At the Rajiv Gandhi International, England’s master class headed by Ollie Pope produced an impressive 28-run victory, leading by 190 runs after the first innings. India passed England for 246 runs after scoring 436 runs to take a 190-run advantage. But Pope’s 196-run blast enabled England to build a 230-run advantage, which ended up being the game-winning margin. India was knocked out for 202 after chasing 231; Tom Hartley claimed seven wickets.
India dropped from second place to fifth after the loss, with two wins, two losses, and a tie from their five WTC cycle matches. With four Test matches left in the five-match series, India leads the series 43.33 percent of the time. England, on the other side, has won 29.16 percent of their six games, placing them sixth. They have won three, lost two, and drawn one game thus far.
On the fourth day of the second Test in Brisbane, West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph bowled through discomfort to tear apart an Australia that was left stunned and contributed to an incredible eight-run upset for his young team.
After being forced to leave the game due to injury sustained by a toe-crushing Mitchell Starc yorker the night before, Joseph recovered to take six wickets in a session and 7-68 overall, leading the West Indies to their first test victory in Australia since 1997.
In an attempt to shield Josh Hazlewood(0), Australia’s new opener Steve Smith (91 not out) distributed the strike, but it was in vain as Joseph sent the last man’s off-stump flying to record the victory that had the visitors bouncing around the Gabba.
In their second innings, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins bravely declared at 289-9, behind the West Indies’ first innings total of 311, before the visitors were bowled for 193 runs. The first Test at Adelaide was won by Australia by 10 wickets, ending the series 1-1.
WTC rankings following victories by England and West Indies
West Indies did benefit from the victory as they surpassed England in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. After four games, the Caribbean team has a 33.33 victory % and is presently ranked sixth. In addition, it was their first victory in four games—two losses—in the current WTC cycle.
After 10 matches, Australia has a 55.00 win % and is still atop the WTC rankings after their loss to the West Indies. They have suffered three losses thus far, recording six victories and one tie.
India and England’s position in the WTC points table India dropped to fifth place with a 43.33 win percentage as a result of the defeat. England, with an overall win percentage of 29.16 from six games—winning three, losing two, and drawing one—remains in eighth place after two wins, two losses, and a tie in their first five games. Positions in the WTC (January 29, 2024)
India lost their home Test match against England in Hyderabad, and as a result, dropped below Bangladesh in the most recent WTC rankings. Following their triumph at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the first Test match of the series, England accomplished a historic victory against India on Sunday, January 28. England took a 1-0 lead against Rohit Sharma’s team after defeating India by 28 runs in the opening Test.
India is now rated No. 5 in the WTC point’s standings as a result of its decline. Australia is top of the WTC rankings, followed by South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and India in fifth place.
In the current World Test Championship competition, the Indian team has played five Test matches. They have won two, lost two, and drew one. India has split their Test series with South Africa and the West Indies, winning one each, and losing the other with England. The only draw for India was with the West Indies.
