Published: December 9, 2024
The race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final has intensified after India’s loss to Australia in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide and South Africa’s 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka. South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, now tops the WTC points table, leaving India’s path to the final highly challenging.
India, who dominated the points table in the first half of the cycle, have faced setbacks recently, losing four of their last five Test matches. The scenarios for their qualification now hinge on their performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the outcomes of other international Test series.
Here are the five scenarios for Rohit Sharma’s team to qualify for the WTC final:
1. India Win 3-1 or 4-1 vs Australia
In this case, India’s qualification is guaranteed. However, they will also need New Zealand to avoid a 3-0 series victory over England. England currently lead 2-0 in their three-match series with one Test remaining.
2. India Win 3-2 vs Australia
A 3-2 series win for India would ensure their spot in the WTC final only if Sri Lanka manage to draw at least one Test in their two-match home series against Australia.
3. India Win 2-1 or Draw 1-1 vs Australia
This situation would make India’s qualification heavily reliant on other results:
- England must win their series against New Zealand by either a 2-1 or 3-0 margin.
- Sri Lanka must draw at least one Test in their two-match home series against Australia.
4. India Draw 2-2 vs Australia
For India to qualify with a 2-2 series result, Sri Lanka must defeat Australia in their home series by any margin.
5. India Lose 2-3 vs Australia
If India lose the series 2-3, their qualification will require a series of favorable results:
- England must win the series against New Zealand by a 2-1 or 3-0 margin.
- Pakistan must defeat South Africa 2-0 in their two-match series.
- Sri Lanka must win their series against Australia by at least a 1-0 margin. A 2-0 win for Sri Lanka would result in India’s elimination from the WTC final race.
What’s Next for Team India?
With stakes high and scenarios complex, India will need to bring their A-game in the remaining Tests against Australia. Simultaneously, fans will keep a close eye on the England-New Zealand, Pakistan-South Africa, and Sri Lanka-Australia series, as their outcomes hold significant weight for India’s qualification hopes.
For the latest updates on India’s journey in the WTC and other cricket news, stay tuned to Board of Sports in India (BOSI).
