India stay 5th in WTC standings despite 1-0 series win over Sri Lanka
Synopsis
Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133 denied India a 2-0 sweep in Sri Lanka, and the consequence is tangible: India's WTC PCT has slipped to 51.52, leaving them fifth — behind Bangladesh, of all teams. With New Zealand and a five-match Australia series still to come, Shubman Gill's side have no margin for error.
Key Takeaways
India settled for a 1-0 series win over Sri Lanka after the second Test at SSC Ground, Colombo ended in a draw on 27 August .
Sonal Dinusha scored an unbeaten 133 — his second century of the match and third of the series — to rescue Sri Lanka.
India's WTC Points Percentage (PCT) fell from 53.33 to 51.52 after 11 matches , keeping them in fifth place .
India trail Australia (80.00 PCT), South Africa (75.00 PCT), New Zealand (72.22 PCT), and Bangladesh (55.56 PCT) in the standings.
Shubman Gill's side face a two-match series in New Zealand in November and a home five-match series against Australia that will be decisive for WTC final qualification.
India's bid to climb the World Test Championship (WTC) standings suffered a setback on 27 August when a tenacious day-five rearguard from Sri Lanka forced the second Test at the SSC Ground, Colombo to end in a draw, leaving the visitors with a 1-0 series victory but no upward movement in the table.
How the Draw Unfolded
India had crushed Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the series opener at Galle and appeared on course for a clean 2-0 sweep. But Sonal Dinusha had other ideas, producing a heroic second-innings knock of 133 not out — his second century of the Test and third of the series — to deny India a decisive victory. Resuming day five with a slender 16-run lead, Sri Lanka's lower order dug in with remarkable resolve.
Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha batted through the entire morning session, negotiating 31.2 overs and adding 100 runs to push the lead well past 100 by lunch. Nuwantha contributed a disciplined 46 before left-arm spinner Manav Suthar induced an edge to second slip, where Dhruv Jurel held a clean catch. Ravindra Jadeja then removed Prabath Jayasuriya, with Jurel pouching another sharp chance.
Dinusha completed his century off the first ball of the evening session alongside a resolute Lahiru Kumara, who stonewalled for 90 balls before falling to Jadeja. With Asitha Fernando holding firm at the other end, India captain Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jurel were called up to bowl the final overs before both sides shook hands on the draw.
WTC Standings Impact
The drawn second Test caused India's Points Percentage (PCT) to slip from 53.33 to 51.52 across 11 matches played, keeping them anchored in fifth place. India remain behind Australia (2023 WTC champions, 80.00 PCT), South Africa (2025 WTC champions, 75.00 PCT), New Zealand (2021 champions, 72.22 PCT), and Bangladesh (55.56 PCT). Sri Lanka remain sixth with a 33.33 PCT.
The Road Ahead for India
India have already crossed the halfway mark of their WTC cycle, having suffered a 0-2 home reversal against South Africa and drawn a series in England last year. The path to the WTC final remains narrow but not closed. Shubman Gill's side travel to New Zealand for a two-match Test series in November, before hosting Australia in a blockbuster five-match series — a fixture that will likely determine whether India qualify for the final.
With Bangladesh ahead of them on PCT, India cannot afford further slip-ups in either of those two series if they are to reclaim a place in the top two.
Point of View
But India's PCT has actually declined, and they now sit behind Bangladesh — a team with a fraction of India's resources and recent Test record. The 0-2 home loss to South Africa earlier in this WTC cycle cast a long shadow, and the Sri Lanka draw has made the arithmetic uncomfortably tight. The upcoming Australia series at home was always going to be the season's centrepiece, but now it carries existential weight for WTC qualification. If Gill's side drop even one of those five Tests, the final may be beyond reach.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do India stand in the WTC standings after the Sri Lanka series?
India are in fifth place in the WTC standings with a Points Percentage of 51.52 after 11 matches. They are behind Australia (80.00 PCT), South Africa (75.00 PCT), New Zealand (72.22 PCT), and Bangladesh (55.56 PCT).
Why did the second Test between India and Sri Lanka end in a draw?
Sri Lanka's Sonal Dinusha scored an unbeaten 133 in the second innings, steering the hosts to safety on day five at the SSC Ground in Colombo. Despite India's bowlers removing the lower order, Dinusha's resilience — combined with support from Keshara Nuwantha (46) and Lahiru Kumara — denied India the win.
How did the draw affect India's WTC Points Percentage?
India's WTC PCT dropped from 53.33 to 51.52 as a result of the drawn second Test. A win would have improved their standing, but the draw meant they gained fewer points than required to move up the table.
What are India's remaining WTC fixtures?
India are scheduled to play a two-match Test series in New Zealand in November, followed by a five-match home series against Australia. Both series are critical for India's chances of qualifying for the WTC final.
Who were the standout performers in the Colombo Test?
Sonal Dinusha was the standout for Sri Lanka with 133 not out in the second innings. For India, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar were the most effective bowlers, while Dhruv Jurel took two key catches behind the wicket.
