India reduced the gap behind table-toppers Australia with a 106-run victory against England in Vizag, reclaiming second position in the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 rankings. After a defeat in the first Test in Hyderabad, India has dropped from second to fifth position.
However, their latest victory has pushed them back up the rankings, increasing their point percentage to 52.77. The top half of the standings remains extremely close, with five teams separated by only 5% in point percentage.
Despite being under pressure going into the second Test match, India put in an outstanding effort. In the second Test match of the series, India defeated England by 106 runs on Monday, due to the efforts of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah, who each took three wickets.
England, chasing 399 for the win, seemed to be on track at 95-1 until losing five wickets in the morning session, changing the game in India’s favour. Opener Zak Crawley hit 73, with Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley adding 36s down the order, but England ultimately succumbed, being all out for 292 in the second session of day four.
England’s nightwatchman, Rehan Ahmed, was dismissed by left-arm spinner Axar Patel following a fast 23. After that, Ashwin shook England’s batting order by dismissing Joe Root and Ollie Pope in back-to-back overs. Pope made 23 before edging Ashwin to Rohit Sharma at slip, while Root, who had a finger injury, collapsed while attempting to hit Ashwin, giving Patel a top edge at the backward point.
Crawley showed aggressive batting, and Jonny Bairstow (26) appeared calm when both departed in successive overs before lunch. England’s hopes were damaged even more when Ben Stokes got sent out for 11. The third test in Rajkot is expected to take place on February 15.