India and Australia settled for a rain-affected draw in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series at the Gabba, Brisbane. The match, plagued by weather interruptions, impacted both teams’ chances of climbing the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings.
Brisbane Test between Australia and India
India, after electing to field, could only manage 13.2 overs on day one due to rain. Australia capitalized on day two, with centuries from Steve Smith (101) and Travis Head (152) guiding them to 405/7. They were bowled out for 445 on day three, before India’s reply faltered to 51/4.
Rain interruptions continued on day four, but India reached 252/9 by stumps, thanks to a resilient last-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 260 on day five. Australia declared at 89/7 in their second innings, setting India a target of 275 from 54 overs. Bad light and rain ensured India ended at 8/0 in 2.1 overs, forcing a draw.
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Updated WTC 2023-25 standings after Gabba Draw
The rain-affected draw resulted in both teams earning four points each in the WTC standings. Australia remains in second place with a PCT (Percentage of Points) dropping from 60.71 to 58.89, while India stays third, with their PCT reducing from 57.29 to 55.88. South Africa leads the table with a PCT of 63.33. This Test was crucial for India, as the remaining two matches in the BGT are their last in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. Australia, after this series, will have two Tests against Sri Lanka early next year.
Following the draw at the Gabba, South Africa retained their top position in the ICC WTC standings with a PCT of 63.33, having won six of their 10 matches. Australia remained in second place with a PCT of 58.89, after nine wins, four losses, and two draws from 15 matches. India stayed in third, with a PCT of 55.88, securing nine wins, six losses, and two draws from 17 matches.
New Zealand, with seven wins and seven losses from 14 matches, held fourth place with a PCT of 48.21. Sri Lanka followed in fifth with a PCT of 45.45, after five wins in 11 matches. England, despite playing 22 matches – the most among all teams – occupied the sixth position with a PCT of 43.18, registering 11 wins and 10 losses.
Pakistan, with four wins and six losses in 10 matches, stood in seventh place with a PCT of 33.33. Bangladesh, with four wins from 12 matches, maintained eighth place with a PCT of 31.25. West Indies rounded off the table in ninth position with a PCT of 24.24, having won just two of their 11 matches. The standings highlight a close race among the top three teams, with South Africa, Australia and India all competing fiercely for a spot in the WTC final.
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