India’s power-packed lineup had a few batting issues in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but they overcame them and won the title. As India defended their title at home, the focus shifts to ODI World Cup 2027 and the World Test Championship (WTC). Days after the triumph, India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was asked how does he manage with the pressure while coaching in all formats. He admitted that the team performed poorly against South Africa in the Kolkata Test but is now confident that they will find a way to make a comeback and qualify for WTC 2025-27 final.
“There’s a lot of pressure, for sure. But in red-ball cricket also, our team is brilliant. I think that one game against South Africa at Kolkata that we lost, obviously Shubman’s injury was one of the factors, it was correct that we did not play well. We have to accept it,” Kotak told Sportstar.
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“Our players are also human. They can also have a bad outing. Then in the next game we lost the toss and things didn’t go our way. So it was tough to digest that we could lose two Test matches like that. But going forward, I am confident that we will keep fighting and we will find a way to get to the World Test Championship final. I am a strong believer that we can execute our plans and achieve our goal,” he added.
Where do India stand in WTC points table?
After a historic Test series whitewash at home, India are paced sixth on the WTC points table. From nine Tests, India have won four, lost as many and played a draw. Their win percentage is 48.15.
The Shubman Gill-led side won Test series against West Indies at home and drew one against England in away series. Now, they will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test which is not part of WTC 2025-27. It will help them prepare for the Test series on Sri Lankan soil.
India’s next WTC opponents
India’s next Test series is in Sri Lanka, a two-Test series. Sri Lanka have won one out of two Tests played against Bangladesh whereas one ended in a draw.
In October 2026, they will travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series. The WTC 2021 winners won two Tests in a three-Test series against West Indies at home last year. India's last Test series in current cycle is against table-toppers Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin in January 2027. Australia have won seven out of eight Tests so far.