Dubai, India has overtaken South Africa in the World Test Championship 2025 (WTC25) standings following a remarkable victory in their recent Test match. The victory was particularly significant as it was achieved under challenging circumstances and marked a new record for the shortest completed Test in terms of the number of balls bowled.
According to International Cricket Council, South Africa was leading the series with a 1-0 advantage and had initially positioned themselves at the top of the WTC25 standings. However, their loss to India in the second Test dramatically altered the standings. The Proteas’ win percentage dropped to 50%, aligning them with New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh.
The Test match featured a series of dramatic turns, starting with India’s exceptional bowling performance that dismissed South Africa for a mere 55 runs. Despite a promising start in their batting innings, India experienced a sudden collapse, ending their innings at 153 all out. This unexpected turn of events added to the match’s intensity.
In the second innings, India’s bowling prowess was again on display, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s outstanding five-wicket haul. This effort was crucial in restricting South Africa to 176 runs. Notably, Aiden Markram’s impressive century was a significant contribution to South Africa’s innings.
India’s batting in the final innings was decisive, successfully chasing the required 79 runs in just 12 overs. However, the team did face the setback of losing three batters during the chase.
This Test match set a new record as the shortest completed Test in terms of balls bowled, surpassing a 92-year-old record. The match concluded in just 642 balls, breaking the previous record of 656 balls set in a Test between Australia and South Africa in 1932.
Looking ahead, India is poised to gain more points in the WTC25 cycle. The team is preparing for a home Test series against England, consisting of five matches, which is set to begin on January 25.