India The National Cricket Team has found itself in a place of concern in the points table of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. Things look bleak for them as their path to the finals has become very difficult, especially after losing Australia in Adelaide.
India topped the ICC World Test Championship points table after defeating Bangladesh in a two-match Test. series at home. At that time, only 5 wins out of 8 games were needed to secure their place in the final of the Championship, three games will be played at home.
However, misfortune struck for them when they faced a whitewash in the three-match Test series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. This dented their chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final and put them under immense pressure.
India started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on a high by defeating Australia by 295 runs.
India then started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on a high by defeating Australia by 295 runs. It took them a step further on their way to the final of the ICC World Test Championship, but the joy was short-lived as they faced defeat in the second game in Adelaide.
With the loss in the Adelaide Test, India slipped to third place in the ICC World Test Championship points table. If that wasn’t enough, the South African National Cricket Team also made things difficult for them as they all sealed their place for the summit clash to be played in June next year.
South Africa have almost sealed a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship
South Africa won the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after winning the second Test by 109 runs. The win took them to the top of the points table with a PCT of 63.33%. They need just one win in their remaining two games against Pakistan to reach the final.
With a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship almost sealed, the pressure will now be on India. To reach the final of the ICC World Test Championship Rohit Sharma-the leading side will have to put in a big effort in the remaining three games of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
India’s script to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship
India cannot afford to lose a single game and if that happens, it will almost certainly be curtains for the team in the ICC World Test Championship. They need to win the series 3-1 to strengthen their claim. Even winning the series 2-1 would not have guaranteed them a place in the summit clash.
If India win 2-1, then they will want Sri Lanka to whitewash Australia in the two-match series next year as this will allow the Rohit Sharma-led side to progress. However, if the Sarhad-Gavaskar series ended in a 2-2 draw, India would be hoping for a 2-0 Sri Lanka win over Australia or two draws.
In this scenario, India will be able to qualify for the final with 55.26%. In this scenario, Australia would end up with a similar PCT, but India would go to Lord’s to claim more series wins during the WTC era.
