The two-tier Test cricket controversy has been running for more than a decade, and it has intensified with the growing presence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). While the BCCI, ECB, and CA, the governing cricket bodies of India, England, and Australia, respectively, are the top international cricket boards, their views play very important roles in the future of the game. While the BCCI has shown support for the two-tier Test cricket system, the ECB and CA have brought two different mindsets to the two-tier Test cricket.

The two-tier Test cricket model, which can be seen in the future ICC World Test Championship, can divide the 12 Test members into two divisions. In the ICC Annual Conference, it was the most significant topic. The ICC has also formed a working group, led by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Towse, to understand the effectiveness of the two-tier Test cricket model. 

See Also: Know when India plays next; Full list of upcoming Test series

ECB chairman raises voice against two-tier Test cricket

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Richard Thompson isn't confident enough with the two-tier Test cricket system, as they can't afford to lose the chance to play against their Test rivals Australia and India.

Recently, in the BBC's Test Match Special, Thompson said, "There's a lot of options that we've got to look at - tiers would be one of them. We wouldn't want, as England, we may go through a fallow period, and that means, what, we fall into Division Two and we don't play Australia and India? That couldn't happen. There has to be a sense that common sense needs to play out here."

Thompson feels that the ICC WTC can work in a better way with the improvement of the cricket calendar, which is congested by various T20 leagues. 

The ECB chairman added, "The World Test Championship could work better than it does. It has definitely improved the narrative, [and] it has created a relevance. Seeing what it meant for South Africa to win - who are crushed by rugby in their own country - and seeing players I know really well, like Graeme Smith, in tears on the outfield, that was a real moment seeing them win. As much as I was critical that they turned up with a 'B' team when they played New Zealand [in 2024], it was still good for the game when the underdog wins.

"But the reality of it is, the World Test Championship, if it was improved upon and certain changes were made, maybe you don't need two tiers of Test cricket. What you do need is a schedule that makes a lot more sense than it currently does, and that must include the volume of bilateral cricket that you play, white-ball and red-ball, and recognising that from 2028, we have an Olympics. So what happens in 2028, when we have an Olympics, and our best 11 cricketers have got to go to LA for two weeks in the middle of July? That is going to throw up some challenges."

Cricket Australia CEO open-minded

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg wants to see stronger versions of the present middle-ranked teams in Test cricket.

Greenberg is open-minded about the two-tier Test cricket system, as he feels that it should work better for the other Test-playing nations to earn their support. He further added that the other boards' CEOs also view it similarly. 

India’s victory at the Kennington Oval over England on the fifth day of the final Test of the five-match series has helped them not only draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, but it has also pushed them in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. It was their second win of the trip after the huge 336-run win at Edgbaston. 

Even though it would still be the early days in the competition, the Blue Brigade managed to use their feet and move into third place in the standings with the victory in the final fixture, earning 12 crucial points. They now have 28 WTC points on the board and a points percentage of 46.67%.

See Also: List of prize winners from ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Despite having the same number of wins and draws as the Shubman Gill-led side, Ben Stokes’ army has found itself in the fourth position with 26 points and a points percentage of 43.33. It was severely impacted by the two-point deduction for the slow over rate during the third Test of the series at Lord’s, which they went on to win dramatically.

India climb up to third place in WTC 2025-27 points table

Australia, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, has found itself at the top position with a three-wicket whitewash series victory over the West Indies in the Caribbean. West Indies and Bangladesh remain the only two sides to feature in the series and not earn a victory yet in the longest format of the cycle.

Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand are the three sides that have not played a single game of the WTC. Both Proteas and Blackcaps faced Zimbabwe away from home, but those were not part of the WTC cycle.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing to reveal a two-division system for its next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2027-29, a move which may change the future of Test cricket. This structure will see 12 full-member nations split into two divisions of six members each with Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland being suggested as the bottom six teams in division two based on current ICC rankings.

The announcement followed the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in Singapore the first under the new all-Indian leadership of Chair Jay Shah and CEO Sanjog Gupta. Gupta, a former JioStar executive, will also chair the eight-member working group responsible for detailing the new system, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.

Proposed Divisions (2027–29 WTC Cycle)

• Division 1: India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
  
• Division 2: Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland
  

A New Era for Test Cricket

This move is largely viewed as representing one of the biggest structural reconfigurations in the 133 year history of international cricket. What had emerged during meetings between Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) earlier this year was a vision to provide more competitive matches, create more regular series between the top teams and have more global responsibility to stakeholders.

Australia, the major supporter of the model, lobbied to include that top teams should play against each other, twice in every three year cycle, mostly to increase competition and broadcast value. The ECB had their reluctance to support the proposal by arguing that the plan could increase the gap both financially and competitively between the richest and professionalised cricket nations, and the developing cricket nations.

ALSO SEE: 'Tendulkar is No.1' – Ravi Shastri names his five greatest Indian cricketers of all time

Two-division Test cricket from 2027and finals in England

A key sticking point will be the promotion and relegation system, as well as how to prevent lower-ranked nations from being permanently sidelined. There is speculation that the ICC may offer enhanced financial packages to Division 2 teams to help sustain competitiveness and infrastructure.

Critics fear that teams like Pakistan, historically strong and deeply rooted in the game’s tradition, might find themselves marginalized if stuck in Division 2. Supporters argue, however, that the format rewards performance and long-term consistency and offers every nation a clear pathway back to the top.

In another major announcement, the ICC confirmed that England will host the next three World Test Championship finals, maintaining a trend that began with the inaugural WTC final in 2021. The most recent final at Lord’s saw South Africa crowned champions, defeating defending champions Australia.

T20 Champions League Revival?

The ICC also expressed interest in resurrecting a Champions League style T20 tournament, involving the best franchises of the IPL, the Hundred and Australia's Big Bash League. However, as yet no official proposal has been put forward, partly due to the more complicated ownership structures, and the difficulties of scheduling across all three competitions, to allow a players to return to their home country.

Given T20 players now playing for multiple franchises globally, there will also be a lack of clarity about player eligibility and representation issues. A 2027 launch is under serious consideration, which suggests the working group may have tied the proposal to when the ICC's current $3 billion broadcast deal with Disney Star expires.

This potential reorganization represents an important moment for global cricket, which could see increased intensity in the upper-level competition, but also raises significant questions about inclusion, equity and player development long term. Whether this radical change will be a success, or not, may depend on how the ICC manages competition with collaboration amongst it's members.

A major update has arrived on the third day of the annual general meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) as England has been confirmed to host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031, after the side’s successful event in the first seasons of the tournament in 2021, 2023 and 2025 in Southampton, Oval and Lord’s.

Discussion was going on the points for a few days after India decided to bid for the next final during this year’s red-ball contest at the Home of Cricket between South Africa and Australia, where the former earned a vital five-wicket victory. In Singapore, during the annual meeting, the ICC cited that the ECB’s successful track record has given them the chance to host the finals.

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‘We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales have been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals. It's a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here for these games.’ Richard Gould, the chief executive of the England Cricket Board (ECB), expressed in a statement.

England confirmed to host next three WTC finals in ICC Annual General Meeting

Gould added that ‘Hosting these finals is a privilege, and we look forward to working with the ICC to build on the success of the previous editions.’ June also remains the best window for the game, just after the exclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as that will also be the best time, with not many scheduled international fixtures in a year.

One of the best reasons for the decision is the weather, which is suitable for the crowd and can attract neutral fans, as it has already during the last three editions of the tournament. The atmosphere at Lord’s was noted at the recent WTC final with ICC’s chair, Jay Shah, enthused by the occasion between two neutral sides.

On the other hand, a few reports have also claimed that no decision has been made as to whether Lord’s will remain the preferred host for the final. Meanwhile, two new members have joined the ICC family to make it a total membership of 110 members, with the Leste Cricket Federation and Zambia Cricket Union formally becoming the Associate members of the ICC.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a primary decision on the next three Final venues of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), and it is surely not good news for Indian cricket. 

The ICC has awarded England to host the next three ICC WTC Finals, which will be played in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) successfully hosted the first three WTC Finals. Southampton hosted the inaugural WTC Final in 2021, where New Zealand won the first WTC mace after beating India in the Final.

The Oval hosted the second WTC Final between India and Australia in 2023, and Australia won that mace. Last June, Lord's hosted the third WTC Final (2025), where South Africa faced the defending champions and won the mace for the first time to end their 26-year drought of an ICC trophy.  

See Also: Upcoming ICC tournaments from 2026 to 2031: Check hosts, tournament type, and year

Next 3 ICC WTC Finals: India and other nations once again ignored

As the ECB successfully hosted the first three WTC finals, it is no shocker that the ICC has awarded the next three WTC Finals to them. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was interested in organising any of the next WTC Finals, but it seems far away from the dream.  

The ICC officially stated, "The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals."

Lord's has already been planned for the WTC Final 2027. So, the latest ICC meeting has brought the decision of the hosting nation for the ICC WTC Final 2029 and 2031. 

Why has England been preferred for the WTC Finals?

While the WTC Final has generally been played in June, England is one of the best places to host it at this time. Meanwhile, June is a rainy season for most of the Indian states, which makes it tougher for the country to host the big tournament.

Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli is arguably one of the finest batters for India, not only in the Tests but across all formats. The now-retired batting maestro boasts an impressive record in Tests. With nearly 10,000 runs under his belt at a stunning average of 46.85, Kohli smashed a staggering 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his 17-year-long Test career. Besides, his form peaked to a whole new level during India's home Test series against South Africa in 2019, where he slammed his career-best score of 254* to hand the visitors a brutal 3-0 drubbing. 

Despite being India's most prolific run-getter in this format, Kohli's decline in form commenced following the conclusion of the first World Test Championship (WTC) cycle in 2021. Although Kohli remained as the second-highest run scorer for India across all three WTC cycles, his recent numbers suggest that he is already way past his prime. Unlike his glory days, Kohli often started faltering towards the fag end of his Test career and failed to live up to his fans' ambitious expectations. It becomes even more concerning when his stats are put together alongside the recent stats of Ravindra Jadeja, who appears to be having a comparatively healthier record than him in Test cricket. 

So are we safe to assume that Jadeja has a better record than King Kohli in Tests? Read on as we attempt to dissect the recent batting stats of the two legendary Indian players across all three WTC cycles since 2019. 

See also: West Indies vs Pakistan ODI series in chaos after PCB's sudden change of stance

Comparison of their batting stats (Since 2019)

Since 2019, Kohli has been India's second-highest run-getter in Test cricket, but has averaged only 35.36. While his average remained uncharacteristically low, Kohli has only managed five centuries and 11 half-centuries across 79 Test innings. On the contrary, Jadeja, who bats a lot lower down the order, averages 40.96 and is not far behind in terms of century count with three hundreds (and counting) under his belt. Even though Jadeja does not feature as a frontline batter for India in the Tests, he still remains the fifth-highest run-getter for his side since 2019. In addition, Jadeja has contributed with the bat on a consistent basis and has 16 fifty-plus scores as opposed to Kohli, who only has 11 fifty-plus scores. 

Final verdict

While it will be fair to acknowledge the obvious decline in Kohli's form in recent times, one simply can't overlook the long list of achievements that he has managed to garner throughout his illustrious cricketing career. Jadeja, on the other hand, may have found his groove with the bat in recent times, but is far off from breaking some of Kohli's unthinkable batting records. Kohli's greatness will remain in its own place and can't be touched by any world-class player in the contemporary era. 

Out of the top 9 teams, 6 have already started their campaign in the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27). June 28 (Saturday), morning started with two surprising results from two iconic cricket grounds. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by an innings in Colombo, and in Barbados, after a neck-to-neck fight, the West Indies surprisingly surrendered against Australia. New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan have yet to take part in their first matches under the new WTC circle. With some initial match results, the WTC points table has started to take shape. 

Australia currently leads the points table after their authoritative win against the West Indies. On June 28, they thrashed the host team by 159 runs. Both the teams will play another 2 matches in the 3-match Test series. 

England, the second team of the WTC 2025-27 points table after getting a heroic win against the newly shaped team India. England won the Headingley Test, chasing 371 runs. In comparison with the points and the Points Percentage System, Australia and England have barely any gap between them. 

Read More: SL vs BAN 2nd Test: Key moments and Full match highlights

A couple of ongoing series can change the equation 

After the retirement of the legend Angelo Mathews from Tests, Sri Lanka gifted Bangladesh a bag full of humiliation through an innings and 78 runs result. The two-match series was started with a draw followed by Sri Lanka's one-sided win. 

India and the West Indies have yet to get their first win in this circle of the WTC. India is currently in England for a 5-match tour with their new captain, Shubman Gill, and lost in the first match of the series. On the other side, the West Indies, led by Roston Chase, defeated Australia by miles. Chase and Co. will play another 2 games with the Aussies before the conclusion of the series. And South Africa, the winner of WTC 2025, is all set to take on Zimbabwe. 

WTC 2025-27 points table:

1. Australia—1 match and 12 points, 100.00 Points Percentage System (PCT)

2. England—1 match and 12 points, 100.00 PCT

3. Sri Lanka—2 matches and 16 points, 66.67 PCT 

4. Bangladesh—2 matches and 4 points, 16.67 PCT 

5. India—1 match and 0 points, 0.00 PCT 

6. West Indies—1 match and 0 points, 0.00 PCT 

7. New Zealand—Yet to play 

8. Pakistan—Yet to play 

9. South Africa—Yet to play

ENG vs IND Match Preview

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, between England and India, will begin on Friday, June 20, at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. Shubman Gill is going to captain India in Tests for the very first time, leading a team that made some changes as they kick off their World Test Championship 2025-2027 campaign with this series. England, meanwhile, will rely on a strong batting lineup and a relatively inexperienced bowling unit, led by Ben Stokes. Stokes will be believing in more consistent results after a period of exciting cricket. Everything points to an exciting series between two teams with plenty to play for.

ENG vs IND Match Details

England vs India – 1st Match, Test Match, World Test Championship 2025

Venue: Headingley, Leeds

Date & Time: 20th June 2025 at 03:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

ENG vs IND Venue Stats

ENG vs IND Pitch Report

The pitch may flatten out by day two or three, providing batters more time to build. Spinners usually arrive late, especially when the surface dries out. 

ENG vs IND Weather Report

The weather in Headingley will be mostly cloudy and warm for the first three days, followed by two days of bright sunshine.

ENG vs IND Last Five Matches

ENG vs IND Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: WTC 2027: ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction 1st Test match

ENG vs IND Probable Playing XIs:

India Probable Playing XIs

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna/Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

England Probable Playing XIs

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir

Topmost Picks for ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – England

• Joe Root – Joe Root will be the rock in the center. He scored 1574 runs toward India in just 15 home Tests at an average of nearly 75, so a solid achievement from him is expected.
• Brydon Carse – Brydon Carse has stood out with 27 wickets at 19.85 in five Tests since early 2024.

Top Picks – India

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, should be confident, having scored over 700 runs against England during their last visit to India. 
• Jasprit Bumrah –  Jasprit Bumrah has consistently been the best bowler across all formats by a country mile, and he enters this series hoping to dominate once more.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ENG vs IND Dream11 Team:

Rishabh Pant, Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, KL Rahul(VC), Joe Root(C), Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jasprit Bumrah

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ENG vs IND Dream11 Team:

Rishabh Pant, Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, KL Rahul, Joe Root, Yashasvi Jaiswal(C), Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes(VC), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jasprit Bumrah

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Joe Root, Yashasvi Jaiswal

Vice-captain – KL Rahul, Ben Stokes

Wicketkeeper – Rishabh Pant

ENG vs IND Probable Winners:

Both teams have a lot at stake in this Test, as a good start could shape the remainder of their summer. India's squad is full of new faces, and it will take time to find the right balance. Most of their players have had little time to adjust to local conditions, making this opener difficult, regardless of talent on paper. England's aggressive style under Bazball has made them look confident at home, and they appear to be better prepared for the match. Considering the team combination, England is expected to win this match.

The title match of the World Test Championship is being played between South Africa and Australia at Lord's. On the third day of the match, players from both teams wore black armbands and observed a one-minute silence before play began. They did this to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Air India's Boeing 787-8 flight crashed just seconds after takeoff on Thursday. A total of 241 people, including 12 crew members, died in the accident.

Along with the players, field umpires Chris Gaffney and Richard Illingworth also wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

There were 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian citizen on board the Air India flight. The flight was going from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. Sadly, the plane crashed just after takeoff, and 241 people, including 12 crew members, lost their lives in the accident.

Also Read -Aakash Chopra suggests two-tier system for Test cricket during WTC final 2025

Only one person, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, survived this terrible crash. He was sitting on seat 11-A, which was in the part of the plane that remained on the ground floor of the building after the collision. Vishwas, a British citizen of Indian origin, managed to escape by unbuckling his seatbelt. He said his left hand was burned when the fire started.

Australian and South African players wearing black armbands and observed a moment of silence for Ahmedabad plane victims. pic.twitter.com/DEelygZsr8

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 13, 2025

Before the start of the third day of the WTC Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s, players from both teams wore black armbands and observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the victims of the crash. The umpires, Chris Gaffney and Richard Illingworth, also wore black bands as a mark of respect.

Commentator Nasser Hussain spoke about the gesture during the live broadcast. He said, “It is clearly visible that the players are wearing black bands. While we are enjoying the match here in the sunshine of England, our thoughts are with the people affected by the tragic incident in India. We request everyone to observe a moment of silence to show respect.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Talking about the match, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon came out to open Australia’s second innings on Day 3 of the match, while Kagiso Rabada began the bowling for South Africa. Australia is trying to defend the WTC title it won in 2023 by beating India. South Africa, on the other hand, is aiming to win its first ICC trophy since 1998, when it defeated the West Indies in the Champions Trophy final. A win at Lord’s would end their 27-year wait for another ICC title.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has floated a suggestion for a two-tier system in Test cricket while the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final is on. Highlighting the lack of competitiveness among some teams, Chopra pointed out that certain nations have failed to come anywhere near securing a spot in the WTC final across the last three cycles. His proposal arrives as Australia plays South Africa in the last WTC final of 2025 at Lord's, with the defending champions having a 218-run advantage and just two second-innings wickets in hand going into the third day of Friday, June 13.

Talking in a video on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former opener queried the existing structure of Test cricket, contending that a tiered system could better balance out the competition. He pointed out that certain teams have consistently been below the top three rankings across the six years of WTC cycles, and there is a question over their position in the elite group. Chopra is making this comment because he noticed that the WTC was brought in to provide context to Test matches, but the absence of real contest between all teams prevents this aim from being realized.

Chopra explained his fears, saying, "Should Test cricket be divided into tiers? WTC was introduced since the ICC started realizing that Test cricket no longer has as much thrill. So they said they would put a little context in every match. The story is that the context has come, but where will you get the contest from?" He further added, "In my opinion, there is no contest because it's been six years since the start of WTC cycles; the last match of the third cycle is being played, but some teams have never come even close to the top three. Do they actually deserve to be in the top tier? Why is everyone in the same tier?"

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Chopra's Call for Reform

Chopra's suggestion of a two-tier Test cricket system will make the game more competitive by aligning teams according to their performance in WTC cycles. Dividing stronger teams from weaker ones struggling to compete, he feels the format would bring back the excitement and make the contests more meaningful, settling the imbalance that has haunted the championship.

Watch the video here: