The two-time finalists, India, have surged to the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 rankings, while New Zealand has fallen to second place after losing to Australia in Wellington in the opening Test.
With 36 points from four games and a 75-point percentage heading into the Wellington Test, New Zealand was leading the pack.
The 2021 World T20 Champions lost the top spot after their crushing 172-run loss, falling to the No. 2 rank with a points percentage of 60, three victories, and two losses.
They were displaced at the top by India, who had a higher points percentage of 64.58 after eight games, having finished in second place with 62 points. As of right now, the Asian powerhouses have won five games, lost two, and drawn one.
With a commanding six-wicket performance in the fourth inning of Day Four against the Blackcaps, Australia, meanwhile, solidified their third-place ranking even more.
The Australians, the reigning champions, are still in third place after winning in Wellington, where they picked up 12 significant points, bringing their total to 78 points. Australia has won seven, lost three, and drawn one of its games.
If the 2023 champions defeat their Trans-Tasman rivals in the second and final Test of the current series, they will have the chance to move up to second place, overtaking New Zealand.
If England defeats India in the Dharamsala Test, which begins in Dharamsala on March 7, Australia might possibly take the top spot. With one game remaining, India is presently leading this series 3-1.
Conversely, the next meeting between the Trans-Tasman rivals will take place in Christchurch, with the final Test scheduled to start on March 8.
New Zealand had a target of 369 runs to win the first Test going into it. After being quickly reduced to 59/3, the Kiwis rallied behind a fifty-score from Rachin Ravindra (59 in 105 balls, including eight fours and a six) and his 67-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell (38 in 130 balls, including two fours). Nathan Lyon, however, dismissed the middle and lower orders, batting the Kiwis for a mere 196 runs. Lyon scored 6/65 with two wickets from Josh Hazlewood. Green and Travis Head each claimed a wicket.
Australia had a 368-run lead into their second inning before being bowled out for 164. In addition to Lyon, who unexpectedly finished first with 41 runs, Cameron Green (34), Travis Head (29), and Usman Khawaja (28) also scored well.
For the Kiwis, Glenn Phillips (5/45) was the best bowler. Among the wickets were Tim Southee (246) and Matt Henry (336).
Australia had earlier bundled out the Kiwis for 179 in their first inning, establishing a 204-run lead. At one point, the Kiwis were suffering at 29/5, but they managed to mount a fight because of some determined middle- and lower-order performances by Phillips.
For the Australians, Nathan Lyon (4/43), the best bowler, was the choice. While Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, and captain Pat Cummins each claimed one wicket, Josh Hazlewood claimed two.
After the Kiwis won the toss and Australia was put to bat first, they were down 211/7 at one point, but an incredible innings of 174* from all-rounder Cameron Green (275 balls, 23 fours, five fours) and his 116-run partnership with Josh Hazlewood (22) enabled Australia to 383.
For the Kiwis, Henry (5/70) claimed five wickets. For the Kiwis, Scott Kuggeleijn and William O’Rourke each claimed two wickets.
Green’s overall performance in the game earned him the title of “Player of the Match.”