World Test Championship cycle launch – Sri Lanka Bangladesh & England India Tests

World Test Championship 2025–27 Cycle Launches with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh & England–India Showdowns

Summary

The World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle kicked off on June 17, 2025, with a gripping two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, followed shortly by England and India launching their five-Test battle across legendary venues. Featuring nine teams playing six series each, including marquee clashes like Ashes and Border-Gavaskar trophies, this cycle introduces structural continuity—and ongoing discussions about possible four-day Test trials starting 2027.

Short Scorecard

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – 2-Test series beginning June 17, 2025, in Galle.

England vs India – Five-Test series from June 20, spanning Headingley to The Oval.

The Curtain Rises: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh in Galle

The WTC 2025–27 cycle officially opened in Galle on June 17 when Sri Lanka welcomed Bangladesh for a two-Test series, marking the first series of the campaign. The venue, famed for its spin-friendly conditions, returns to center stage amid local debate on smaller teams receiving fewer Test opportunities. Veteran Angelo Mathews plays his swansong in potentially his final series, accompanied by Sri Lanka’s core of Pathum Nissanka, Prabath Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis.

Bangladesh arrives after splitting a series with Zimbabwe, determined to notch a rare Test win in Sri Lanka. Under captaincy from Najmul Hossain Shanto, backed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s offense and spin support, they are eager to shift the narrative across conditions historically dominated by the hosts.

England vs India: A High-Stakes Five-Test Battle

Barely 48 hours later, England and India clash at Headingley on June 20 for the opening of their flagship five-Test series, a highlight of the new cycle. Captained by Ben Stokes, England are out for revenge following their 4–1 defeat in India last year. India, led by newly appointed Test skipper Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant, enter a transitional yet competitive era.

Spread across historic grounds—Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval—this series will influence the early WTC points table significantly. TalkSPORT confirms expansive media coverage including Sky Sports and YouTube commentary.

Australia’s Campaign: Frank Worrell Trophy Begins

Not long after, Australia sets sail for the Caribbean to contest the Frank Worrell Trophy with West Indies in a tight three-Test sprint. Fresh off their loss in the WTC Final, Australia can regain momentum, but must be wary—West Indies famously drew in Brisbane in 2024 and remain dangerous at home.

Cycle Structure: Balanced Fixtures, Uneven Schedules

Nine national teams will partake in this cycle, each playing six series—split evenly home and away—yielding a comprehensive 71-match schedule. Australia—and England—have packed calendars, with Australia slated for 22 Tests and England 21, while India faces 18 Tests and New Zealand 16. In contrast, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have just 12 Tests each, prompting concerns voiced by Angelo Mathews on scheduling equity.

The points system remains the same: 12 for a win, six for a tie, four for a draw, with standings determined by percentage of points won.

ICC’s View & Future Innovations

ICC Chair Jay Shah offered upbeat remarks on the new cycle, calling it a catalyst for Test cricket's global resurgence. The recent Lord’s final, South Africa’s maiden triumph, underlined the format’s appeal and drew high viewer engagement.

He also indicated openness to four-day Test matches in the 2027–29 cycle—particularly helpful to smaller Test nations looking to boost fixtures—while preserving five-day showdowns for marquee contests. This strategic shift could enable tighter scheduling, especially in compressed series.

What Lies Ahead

Cricket fans worldwide now have months of engrossing red-ball action ahead: Sri Lanka’s spin-fest in Galle, England’s gritty contests with India, Australia’s Caribbean battles—and then the Ashes, Border‑Gavaskar, Freedom Trophy, and more. Each game, point, and series victory will gradually shape the leaderboard, with the ultimate prize a place at Lord’s in June 2027 .