India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final took a significant hit after suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in the recent Test series. This defeat has caused India to drop to the second spot in the WTC standings, with their points percentage falling to 58.33%. Australia now leads with a points percentage of 62.50%.
Qualification Scenarios for WTC Final
To secure a spot in the WTC final without relying on other teams’ results, India must win at least four out of the five matches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A 4-1 victory would give India a points percentage of 71.05%, which should be enough to qualify. However, even a 4-0 win would leave India vulnerable to other results, so a 4-1 result is the safest bet.
Challenges Ahead
The upcoming series against Australia is a daunting task, given Australia’s formidable home record. India will need to overcome the psychological impact of the New Zealand series and adapt quickly to the Australian conditions. Key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah will need to perform at their best while emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravichandran Ashwin could play crucial roles.
INDIA'S CHANCES FOR WTC FINAL…!!!! pic.twitter.com/c4O6nCUE6e
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 3, 2024
Other Contenders
India is not the only team in contention for the WTC final. Sri Lanka and South Africa are also in the mix, with Sri Lanka needing to win all their remaining matches to have a chance. South Africa’s performance in their upcoming series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan will also be crucial.
Also Read: Injured Sumit Nagal Forced to Withdraw in Opening Round at Moselle Open; Balaji Exits
