WTC 2025-27: Updated Points Table After ENG Vs IND 4th Test

In a format where victory often overshadows survival, the 4th Test between England and India at Old Trafford will be remembered not for who won, but for how it ended—and the deep questions it raised about the spirit of cricket.

With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy tied 2-1 in England’s favour heading into the final day, India produced a performance drenched in grit, determination, and defiance. In doing so, they not only salvaged pride but threw a spotlight on sportsmanship, milestones, and mind games—most notably, Ben Stokes’ attempted handshake with 15 overs to go and the Indian team’s emphatic rejection of it.

Let’s dive into a match that had it all: monumental comebacks, verbal volleys, history-making centuries, and a spirited defense both on and off the pitch.

A Test in Two Halves: From 311 Behind to the Edge of Glory

At one point, the match seemed destined for an England victory, possibly inside four days. After electing to bowl first, Ben Stokes’ men delivered a ruthless masterclass, dismissing India for 358, courtesy of Mark Wood’s lethal burst (5/61).

But what followed was an English batting avalanche—669 runs. Root (150), Stokes (141), and Bairstow (94) led the charge, capitalising on a docile surface and tired Indian bowling.

A 311-run first-innings deficit meant India were staring down the barrel of an innings defeat. And when Chris Woakes removed both openers for ducks in the first over of the second innings, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

Instead, it became the canvas for one of India’s greatest rearguard efforts in recent memory.

Shubman Gill’s Captain’s Knock and KL Rahul’s Redemption

The counter-punch began with Shubman Gill (103). Calm, calculated, and classy, Gill held the fort even as England’s pacers tried to rattle India out early. His fourth century of the series was historic—not just for the runs but the conditions in which they came.

Alongside him was a returning KL Rahul (90), who stitched a game-saving 174-run stand, defying England for nearly two full sessions. It was the kind of batting that deflates aggressive captains—and it did exactly that.

By the end of Day 4, India were 245/3. England still had hope. But it was Day 5 that transformed the match into a drama of Test cricket’s finest—and most controversial—moments.

Day 5 Drama: Ben Stokes’ Handshake, Brook’s Bowling, and Indian Defiance

With Ravindra Jadeja (on 89*) and Washington Sundar (on 80*) having batted India to safety by mid-session, Ben Stokes approached the umpire with an unusual request: to call the game off early—a mutual draw.

India, however, had different ideas.

As Jadeja revealed later, Stokes asked him, “Do you want to score a hundred against Harry Brook?”—referring to the part-time batter who had been brought on as a statement of protest. Jadeja’s reply? “I can’t do anything.”

The Indian pair continued to bat. Brook was dispatched into the stands as Jadeja completed his 3rd Test century. Moments later, Sundar too reached his maiden century. It was poetic, emphatic, and unapologetic.

Gautam Gambhir Hits Back: “Let the Bat Speak”

In the post-match press conference, India’s batting coach Gautam Gambhir minced no words.

“If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, don’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off if it was Root and Brook in the same position?” he asked.

He accused England of hypocrisy, suggesting that Stokes wouldn’t have made such a ‘sportsmanship’ gesture if his players were eyeing milestones after saving a match.

“They weathered the storm, fought for survival. If England didn’t want to bowl, they had the option to stop. We weren’t breaking any rule,” Gambhir asserted.

Indian Grit Reclaims the Narrative

India ended their second innings on 425/4, effectively taking a 114-run lead. The match was called off with no chance for England to chase, and both teams walked away with a draw—only the second such result in England’s Bazball era.

But the scorecard doesn’t tell the whole story.

India batted for over 9 sessions after being 0/2.
Four batters crossed fifty in the second innings, with three scoring 90+.
India faced 170 overs in their second innings, the longest they’ve batted in a Test in over a decade.

For all the talk of Bazball, it was India who showed what true Test resilience looks like.

ICC World Test Championship 2025–27: Standings After ENG vs IND 4th Test

The drawn result added 4 WTC points to both England and India. However, a previous 2-point deduction for slow over-rate keeps England from pushing Australia off the top spot.

🔝 Updated WTC 2025–27 Points Table:

Rank	Team	Matches	Wins	Losses	Draws	Points	Deductions	PCT
1	Australia	3	3	0	0	36	0	100.00%
2	Sri Lanka	2	1	0	1	16	0	66.67%
3	England	4	2	1	1	26	-2	54.17%
4	India	4	1	2	1	16	0	33.33%
5	Bangladesh	2	0	1	1	4	0	16.67%
6	West Indies	3	0	3	0	0	0	0.00%
7	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00%
8	Pakistan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00%
9	South Africa	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00%

The Spirit of the Game: Who Was Right?

Stokes’ decision to offer a handshake mid-session sparked massive online debate. Some applauded his gesture as a sign of evolved sportsmanship. Others, including former cricketers like Michael Vaughan, questioned the logic of offering a draw while the opposition batters were heading towards personal milestones.

But it’s worth remembering: Test cricket is not just about results—it’s about moments, character, and legacy.

Jadeja and Sundar showed character. Gambhir defended their right to bat. And in that, India won—not the match, but the moral high ground.

What Lies Ahead?

The final Test at The Oval now carries enormous weight. Though England have the upper hand at 2–1, India’s latest defiance has given them a mental boost.

Should India win at The Oval, the series will be drawn—and their WTC percentage could skyrocket, turning the tide of their campaign. For England, it’s about asserting control after letting a match slip through their fingers.

More than anything, the next match promises to be personal.

A Draw That Spoke Volumes

Cricket purists will remember this Test not just for the runs or the result, but for its emotional layers—the courage under fire, the questions around sportsmanship, and the human drive for individual achievement.

Jadeja and Sundar deserved their centuries. India deserved their draw. And in refusing to back down, they reminded the world why Test cricket remains the purest battle of heart, mind, and character.

At Old Trafford, cricket wasn’t just played. It was felt.

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