India, a proud Test-playing country, will be hurt after missing out on the finals of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC). They will look to make amends in the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2025-27) and hope to reach the finals.This article will look at India’s chances of reaching the next cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) final.The new World Test Championship (WTC) will be from 2025 – 2027.The Indian campaign will comprise of 18 Test matches, and they will need to take every game as an important fixture, regardless of whom they play, to avoid complacency, as was the case in the 2023-25 cycle.

2023–2025 WTC: A Campaign That Slipped Away

India looked set to reach their third consecutive WTC final, but consecutive Test series defeats derailed their campaign. A shocking 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand — India’s first ever home Test series loss to the Kiwis — followed by a 4-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, knocked India out of contention.

This string of failures led to a major shift in the Indian Test setup, with veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announcing their retirement from the longest format. Shubman Gill has since been appointed the new Test captain, ushering in a fresh era.

India’s WTC 2025–2027 Fixtures

The Indian team will play 18 Test matches in this WTC cycle. Here’s their full schedule:

• India vs England (Away) – 5 Tests – June to August 2025

• India vs West Indies (Home) – 2 Tests – October 2025

• India vs South Africa (Home) – 2 Tests – December 2025

• India vs Sri Lanka (Away) – 2 Tests – August 2026

• India vs New Zealand (Away) – 2 Tests – Oct–Dec 2026

• India vs Australia (Home) – 5 Tests – Jan–Feb 2027

This cycle includes critical away series in England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka — all challenging conditions. But with 9 of the 18 games scheduled at home, India will have the comfort of familiar pitches for half their matches.

India’s New-Look Test Squad: Fresh Faces, Big Expectations

The Indian Test team is undergoing a generational transition. Shubman Gill will lead the squad, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Key players include:

Expected India XI (vs England):

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. KL Rahul
3. Shubman Gill (c)
4. Karun Nair / Sarfaraz Khan
5. Rishabh Pant (vc, wk)
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Mohammed Siraj

Other Squad Members:

• Sai Sudarshan
• Abhimanyu Easwaran
• Dhruv Jurel
• Washington Sundar
• Prasidh Krishna
• Akash Deep
• Kuldeep Yadav

This team is filled with fresh talent and energy. Players like Sai Sudarshan, Arshdeep Singh, and Nitish Reddy are expected to play crucial roles in this new phase.

Challenges Ahead for Team India

India’s WTC journey starts with a tough 5-Test series in England — a true test for the young side. While the Indian team may not be favorites in this series, gaining experience and possibly securing a win or two will go a long way in building confidence.

Key Advantages:

• 50% of India’s matches will be at home

• Fresh leadership and young players eager to prove themselves

• A well-balanced squad with depth in spin and pace departments

However, India must avoid complacency against teams like West Indies and Sri Lanka, where clean sweeps can significantly boost their WTC points tally.

Conclusion: Can India Make It?

With a strong bench, home advantage, and a motivated young captain, India has a good chance to bounce back and secure a spot in the 2027 WTC final. But consistency in away games — especially against England and New Zealand — will be the ultimate test.

SuperSports360 Prediction:

India may face early challenges in England but can still recover to finish strong. Our projection? India narrowly qualifies for the WTC final with 11 wins out of 18.