Subjectto official confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC), theIndian cricket team will jump to the top of the all-important and prestigious2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) points table by virtue of their victoryover England in the fourth Test at The Oval on Monday.
Unlessany points are deducted, India will earn 26 points and a percentage of points(PCT) of 58.33 per cent. Next in the table are Pakistan and the West Indies,both with 12 points and a PCT of 50 per cent each.
Pointsavailable per Test match are 12 for a win, six for a tie, four for a draw andzero for a loss. The PCT allocated per Test is 100 for a win, 50 for a tie,33.33 for a draw and nil for a loss.
Afive-Test series, which India and England are engaged in, carry 60 points, afour-Test series 48 points, a three-Test series 36 points and a two-Testseries, which Pakistan and the West Indies recently concluded, 24 points.
Priorto the outcome at The Oval, both India and England were docked two points eachfor slow over-rates. Thus, instead of their tallies being 16 from the firstthree Tests, they were 14. England's points will remain stationary, having lostthe match. But India will gain valuable points from the result.
India'swin carves out an early edge for the runner-up in the opening tournament, sincehome advantage is generally an important factor in deciding Tests and seriesbetween the top contenders, namely New Zealand, winners of the inaugural2019-21 WTC, Australia, South Africa, England and India.
Thetwo teams who emerge on top in the two-year league cycle qualify for the final.Australia and England ran their rivals close in the Covid-19 affected firstcompetition. But India's place in the play-off was crucially confirmed by theirtriumph in Australia last winter.