India have slipped to fifth place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table after suffering an embarrassing series loss to South Africa at home on Wednesday. This is the second time since 2000 that they have won a Test series in the country. Meanwhile, according to the ICC, the defeat by 408 runs is India’s biggest defeat by runs in Test cricket. This win has further strengthened South Africa’s position in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. The defending champions are placed second, just behind Australia, with 36 points from their four Test matches. His percentage of marks (PCT) has increased from 66.67 to 75. They have won three Tests and lost only one.
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India, on the other hand, have slipped behind fourth-placed Pakistan in the points table, and are now placed fifth, with their PCT coming in at 48.15, with four losses, four wins and one draw. After a slow start with the score at 247/6 on the first day, a maiden Test century from all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy (109) and a strong innings from Marco Jensen (93 off 91 balls, with six fours and seven sixes) made significant contributions from the lower order and took the Proteas to 489 in the first innings. Kuldeep Yadav (4/115) was India’s top bowler.
Jensen continued his magic with the ball and took figures of 6/48, as the hosts were bowled out for just 201 runs. Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 runs from 97 balls, six fours and one six) and Washington Sundar (48 runs from 92 balls, two fours and one six) offered remarkable resistance. India started well with a 65-run partnership, but slipped to 122/7 after a 72-run stand between Sundar and Kuldeep (19 runs from 134 balls with three fours) helped India reach the 200-run mark.
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South Africa decided not to follow-on, but took their lead past 500. Tristan Stubbs (94 runs from 180 balls, nine fours and one six) scored 260/5 in his third innings before the innings was declared. Once again the spinners did wonders, in which Jadeja hit a four. But India had a huge target of 549 runs. South Africa’s player of the match Simon Harmer was at his best in the second innings in Kolkata as well. After taking 3 for 64 in the first innings, Harmer (6 for 37) tore apart the Indian batting order on the morning of the final day.