New Delhi: As South Africa close in on their first-ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title at Lord’s, a fresh setback looms for India—not on the field, but at the administrative level. According to a report by the Telegraph UK, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is poised to retain England as the host venue for the next three WTC finals, dealing a blow to India’s long-standing ambition to host the prestigious event.
The development comes amid South Africa’s dominant position in the ongoing WTC final against reigning champions Australia. Chasing a target of 282 runs, the Proteas ended Day 3 in complete control at 213/2, needing just 69 runs with eight wickets in hand. Aiden Markram’s unbeaten century, coupled with a resilient half-century by skipper Temba Bavuma, has put South Africa on the verge of creating history as only the third team to win a WTC title after New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023).
The Telegraph report claims that despite interest from India and even support from Australia’s captain Pat Cummins—who, along with India’s Rohit Sharma, had publicly advocated for exploring venues outside of England—the ICC appears committed to keeping the WTC final in England through at least 2031.
“English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three World Test Championship finals despite an attempt from India to stage the showpiece event,” the report states. The three upcoming WTC cycles are slated to conclude in 2027, 2029, and 2031, and the finals for each are now expected to be played in England, most likely at Lord’s.
While India has reached two WTC finals—in 2021 and 2023—they lost both, first to New Zealand and then to Australia. Adding to the irony, England, which has hosted all three finals thus far, has never made it to the summit clash.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has previously expressed its desire to bring the WTC final to Indian soil, citing better local interest, more diverse crowd dynamics, and fairer home conditions for Asian teams. However, the ICC’s preference seems to rest on logistical reliability, weather predictability, and historical appeal of English venues like Lord’s and The Oval.
“The decision is expected to be rubber-stamped at the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore next month,” the report adds. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to begin preparations for the 2027 final shortly after the conclusion of the current edition.
The BCCI’s efforts to push for a rotational model—similar to FIFA World Cups or ICC’s white-ball tournaments—have so far met resistance from other stakeholders. While India has hosted a large number of successful ICC tournaments in the past, critics point out that the month of June, which coincides with the WTC final schedule, is marked by extreme heat across most of India, making it a logistical challenge.
Implications for India’s WTC Future
With India missing out on hosting duties for the next three cycles, it’s not just about lost prestige or revenue. Some analysts argue that playing neutral finals in England consistently puts Asian teams at a disadvantage due to seam-friendly conditions. Former Indian cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly and Wasim Jaffer, have repeatedly called for venue rotation to level the playing field.
Yet, the ICC’s stance indicates a preference for continuity and tradition. With England’s deep-rooted Test culture, extensive infrastructure, and the symbolic stature of Lord’s, the governing body seems to believe that England offers the most viable venue for a flagship red-ball event.
Meanwhile, India’s focus will remain on rebuilding a team that can not only qualify for future WTC finals but finally win one. The ongoing dominance of South Africa in the current final has only added more pressure on the Indian setup to evolve and deliver on the big stage.
As cricket fans await Day 4 of the gripping final between South Africa and Australia, the larger battle over where the game’s most elite Test contest is played continues in the ICC boardrooms. For now, it seems England will remain the stage for cricket’s longest format finale—and India will have to play on.
