WTC points table: Where do India stand after series defeat against South Africa?

South Africa registered a remarkable 2-1
Test series victory over India as they beat India by seven wickets in the third
and final Test at the Newlands, Cape Town on Friday. India conceded the 1-0
lead, that they gained in Centurion beating South Africa by 113 runs in the
first Test, after losing the second Test in Johannesburg and, eventually they suffered a series defeat in Cape Town. The defeat prolonged India’s wait for
their maiden series win in South Africa.

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On Day 4 of the Cape Town Test, South
Africa trounced India riding on Keegan Petersen’s clinical 82 and Rassie van
der Dussen’s unbeaten 41. Temba Bavuma scored unbeaten 32 and took South Africa
home hitting a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin in the second session while
chasing a below-par 212 runs target.

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As the opportunity to win a Test series in
South Africa went in vain, India also suffered a slump on the points table of
the World Test Championship. Virat Kohli-led Indian team has slipped to the
fifth position in the WTC table, with South Africa jumping to the fourth
position. India’s points won by the team (PCT) percentage has fallen below
fifty.

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After South Africa beat India in the
Johannesburg Test India were fourth on the points table, but the series win
helped South Africa topple India from the position with 66.67 PCT. India were
considered the favourite to win the series after Quinton de Kock announced
retirement midway and fast bowler Anrich Nortje sustained an injury. Still,
Dean Elgar-led South Africa made a remarkable turnaround to clinch the series.

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Sri Lanka remain at the top of the table
with 100 percentage PCT. Australia, thanks to their incredible performances in
the Ashes series, are comfortably placed at second position while Pakistan,
with 75 PCT, are third in the table.

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Team India will return to the longest
format of the game on February 25 when the side takes on Sri Lanka in a
two-Test series. The series loss will potentially force India to make some
changes in the team since senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane
are out of form.