The second and final Test match between India and Sri Lanka is set to begin in Colombo from Sunday. With a magnificent victory of 165 runs in the Galle Test, the Indian team led by Shubman Gill is currently leading the series 1-0.
However, this raises the question: if the Indian team cannot lose the series, why is there so much pressure to win the Colombo Test? The reality is that for the Indian team to reach the World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27) final, winning this Test series against Sri Lanka is mandatory under all circumstances.
This will be a crucial test for both coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill in Colombo. The Indian players will take to the field with the intention of completely defeating Sri Lanka. The race in the WTC points table has now become very complex and exciting, meaning any small mistake by the Indian team could shatter their dream of playing in the final.
Team India is currently ranked fifth in the table with 64 points and a PCT (Points Percentage) of 53.33. If India wins the Colombo Test, its PCT will increase to 57.57. Records from the last three WTC seasons show that the top two teams reaching the final have always had a PCT above 60.
The Colombo Test is not just a matter of points; it is also a battle of prestige. The Indian team has not won any Test series away from home in the last three years. In this situation, the Indian team will want to end a long drought by defeating Sri Lanka in its own country.
Another major advantage of winning in Colombo is that the Indian team will move to fourth place in the points table. This is interesting because Bangladesh is currently in fourth place, but India might gain an advantage considering their position against Australia.
Bangladesh's loss is considered almost certain, as their team was dismissed for only 64 runs in the first innings of the second Test against Australia. Their loss will certainly reduce their PCT from 66.67 to 55.55. If India wins in Colombo, it will directly overtake Bangladesh for fourth place with a PCT of 57.57.
In the World Test Championship (WTC), a team receives 12 points for winning each match, while both teams receive 6-6 points in a tie and 4-4 points in a draw. Team rankings are determined based on percentage points rather than total accumulated points, and it is necessary for teams to be in the top two positions to qualify for the final in 2027.