India produced one of the most dominant performances in Test cricket history by defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at Mullanpur. However, despite registering their biggest-ever victory in the longest format, the Shubman Gill-led side did not receive any points in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
The comprehensive win showcased India’s bowling depth and batting strength, but it had no impact on the team’s position in the WTC standings.
Why Wasn’t India Awarded WTC Points?
The primary reason is that the match against Afghanistan was not part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 schedule.
Only nine participating Test nations are included in the current WTC cycle, and Afghanistan is not among the teams competing for WTC points. As a result, the one-off Test was treated as a standalone international fixture, meaning no championship points were available regardless of the result.
Consequently, India’s convincing victory did not alter their standing in the WTC table.
India’s Position in the WTC Standings
Despite securing a record-breaking win, India remain sixth in the World Test Championship rankings. The team has played nine matches in the current cycle, winning four, losing four, and drawing one.
The result leaves India with a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15 as they continue their campaign toward qualification for the WTC Final.
Australia currently lead the standings after an impressive start to the cycle, while South Africa occupy second place.
India Register Their Biggest-Ever Test Victory
While the match did not affect the WTC standings, it entered the record books for another reason.
India’s innings-and-300-run triumph over Afghanistan is now the largest victory by margin of runs in the country’s Test history.
After posting a massive first-innings total, India dismissed Afghanistan for 152 and enforced the follow-on with a lead of 412 runs. The visitors struggled again in their second innings and were bowled out for just 112.
The Indian bowling attack maintained relentless pressure throughout the contest, ensuring Afghanistan never recovered.
Bowlers Shine in Historic Mullanpur Win
Debutant Manav Suthar laid the foundation for India’s dominance with a brilliant six-wicket haul in the first innings. The left-arm spinner became only the 10th Indian cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
In the follow-on innings, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav took control. Sundar finished with four wickets, while Kuldeep claimed three as Afghanistan collapsed under sustained pressure.
Mohammed Siraj and Suthar chipped in with a wicket each, while an injured Sharafuddin Ashraf was unable to bat, bringing the innings to an end.
India’s Largest Innings Victories in Test Cricket
India’s win in Mullanpur now tops the list of the team’s biggest innings victories in Test cricket history:
- India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs, Mullanpur (2026)
- India beat West Indies by an innings and 272 runs, Rajkot (2018)
- India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs, Bengaluru (2018)
- India beat Bangladesh by an innings and 239 runs, Mirpur (2007)
- India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs, Nagpur (2017)
Confidence Boost Ahead of Bigger Challenges
Although no WTC points were at stake, the victory provides a significant morale boost for India after their difficult home series defeat against South Africa last year.
The performance highlighted the team’s depth in both batting and bowling and offers valuable momentum as India prepare for more challenging assignments in the ongoing international season.
