Here's how the World Test Championship Points Table stands after first Test between India and Sri Lanka

India beat Sri Lanka comprehensively by an innings and 222 runs in the first Test match at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on March 6. On day three of the Test match, the hosts skittled the Lankans out for just 174 and skipper Rohit Sharma decided to enforce the follow-on after getting mammoth first-innings lead of 400 runs. The visitors in their second innings could only manage 178 and were all out just a few minutes before stumps.

While the Indian team did register a huge win, it was a much-needed one for them as far as the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 cycle is concerned. India had ended 2021 at the fourth spot in the WTC points table after beating South Africa at Centurion. However, defeats in the next two games against the Proteas and a 1-2 series loss bought them down to the fifth position.

South Africa who had replaced India at the fourth spot on the table in January this year have retained that place while India continue to remain at five in the latest ICC World Test Champions rankings.

India remain at the fifth position, Australia retain the top spot

For now, the Rohit Sharma-led side will remain at fifth place with a points percentage of 54.16%. The fourth, third, and second places are occupied by South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan which have 60%, 66.66%, and, 75% points percentage against their names. Meanwhile, the Aussies who are also the top-ranked Test side take the ‘Numero Uno’ spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 points table 86.66% points percentage in the bag. This is mainly due to a 4-0 thumping win over arch-rivals England at the Ashes series in December-January.

At the same time, it also needs to be noted that India had lost three points due to a slow over-rate penalty. The first instance had happened after the first Test against England at Trent Bridge in August 2021 where two points each of both teams were deducted. The second instance happened after the Centurion Test in December last year where Virat Kohli & Co. docked a point after being found one over short of their target.

Meanwhile, India and Sri Lanka will now lock horns in the series-deciding second Test match at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 12. This will be a pink-ball affair which will be played under lights.

Here’s the updated WTC points table: