India’s WTC Hopes Dim as ICC Confirms England for Finals

India’s dream of hosting a World Test Championship (WTC) final has been denied again. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to keep England as host for the next three finals—2027, 2029, and 2031.

South Africa Ahead in 2025 Final

The 2025 WTC final is turning into a thriller. South Africa finished Day 3 at 213/2 while chasing 282.
Aiden Markram’s century and Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten half-century have given them a strong position. Their 143-run stand leaves just 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand.

If South Africa wins, they will become the third different champion after New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023). Notably, all three titles would have been won on English soil.

ICC Leans on Tradition and Neutrality

According to The Telegraph UK, the ICC has already informed the ECB about its plans to host all upcoming WTC finals in England.

“English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three WTC finals despite an attempt from India to stage the showpiece event,” the report stated.

The final decision will be made official during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore this July. After that, preparations for the 2027 edition will begin without delay.

BCCI’s Push Ignored

India, through the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), made repeated efforts to host the final.
Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, also supported the idea, saying it would boost local interest and offer a fair chance.

However, the ICC seems to prefer the consistency and history of English venues. England provides neutral pitches, suitable summer weather, and top-tier stadiums like Lord’s and The Oval.

Why This Hurts Team India

India reached both the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals but lost each time.
Playing in English conditions has been tough for the team. As a result, home advantage might have helped. But now, they must prepare for similar challenges again.

Therefore, India’s strategy must now focus on adapting better to swinging and seaming conditions in the UK.

Is the ICC’s Decision Fair?

On one hand, keeping the finals in one location allows for consistent planning.
On the other, rotating the finals across cricket-playing nations could promote fairness and global engagement.

Fans and experts alike have questioned this decision. They believe cricket’s global growth depends on sharing high-profile events like the WTC final.