All is not well for Team India as they were given a reality check on the world stage by a determined South Africa with a seven-wicket win in Cape Town. The consequences of the crushing blow can now be witnessed in an updated World Test Championship (WTC) standings where Virat Kohli's side now reside fifth and are pushed by the Proteas, who have grabbed the fourth spot.
The back-to-back defeats mean that India have a 49.07 win percentage from nine Tests. Although the Indian team has more net winning points with 53, it is the net win per cent points that decide the standings. A close draw against New Zealand in Kanpur could come back to bite the Indian team in the later stages of the WTC's second edition.
Only England have lost more matches in the current cycle
The defeat at Newlands was India's third in the current cycle while Kohli's men have only won two of their last five matches in the longest format. To make matters worse they have been docked rating points for slow overrate in the current cycle and only England with five defeats have lost more than the no.1 Test team in the world.
Who is the best in the Test?
Surprisingly, Sri Lanka top the standings for the current WTC cycle as they have 100 net win per cent points. In two Tests so far against the West Indies, they have won both to remain at the summit of the table. The draw in Sydney saw Australia drop points for the very first time in the current cycle as they reside in second with 83.33 net win per cent points from four Tests. India's arch-rivals Pakistan occupy the third spot with 75 net win per cent points from their three wins in four Tests.
With the action moving to limited-overs for both India and South Africa, team India now will face an uphill task to climb the table as they will need others to drop points. Interestingly, Indian supporters will now hope for an England win in the fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Hobart to see their nearest rivals drop points. India will next face Sri Lanka in the WTC cycle in March, a perfect opportunity to climb the table in home conditions.
