Australia showed command to defeat India 184 runs to take a crucial 2-1 lead in five matches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series. The win not only brought them closer to defending the trophy but also dealt a serious blow to India’s chances of qualifying for the tournament. World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final.
Australia’s bowling attack stifled India’s chase
Set a daunting target of 340 runs to win, India were bowled out for just 155 runs in 79.1 overs on the final day. The Australians’ relentless pace and control led the way Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starcwho dismantled India’s top order with cutting bowling. for India, Yashasvi Jaiswal Top scored with 84 off 208 balls but lacked contributions from the experienced trio Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli has been deadly to India’s chances of successfully chasing down the target. Rohit, Rahul and Kohli managed scores of 9, 0 and 5 runs respectively, leaving India with no hope of mounting a serious challenge.
India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship take a major blow
India’s defeat dealt a serious blow to their WTC 2025 qualification hopes. Currently ranked 3rd in the WTC points table with a PCT (Percentage of Points Earned) of 52.78%, India’s qualification is now highly dependent on foreign results. To stay in contention, India must win the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting January 3, 2025.
Then they will need it Sri Lanka To beat Australia 2-0 or 1-0 in the two-match Test series starting on January 29, 2025 in Galle. If these conditions are met, India could end the WTC cycle with a PCT of 55.26%, surpassing Australia’s potential maximum of 53.51% and Sri Lanka’s 53.85%. However, if India fail to win or draw the Sydney Test, their hopes of qualifying for the WTC final will be dashed, with Australia or Sri Lanka taking the remaining spots.
Meanwhile, South Africa has already won and qualified for the WTC 2025 finals. Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of the two-match series on 29 December 2024 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. This marks South Africa’s first appearance in a WTC final, increasing the pressure on India to perform and not miss out. third consecutive term.
Also READ: Fans react as Australia take a 2-1 lead in the Boxing Day Test after their dramatic win over India
India’s form deteriorates: Flop show from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
India’s batting struggles, particularly the inconsistent performances of its senior players, have plagued their campaign since the start of the Test season in September. Rohit and Kohli, once the pillars of India’s batting line-up, collectively struggled throughout the series, with Rohit’s form particularly linked. His total of just 31 runs at an average of 6.20 runs in this series set a new record for the lowest batting average for a touring captain in a Test series (minimum five innings) in Australia. Rohit’s disappointing performance in Melbourne, where he scored 3 and 9, added to the fans’ frustration. This was due to his inability to reproduce the character of ‘Hitman’ in the series widespread criticism and social media reactionWith calls for his retirement, along with Kohli, he is gaining traction.
