New Delhi:
After a crushing defeat at home India’s dream of playing the World Test Championship Finals for the third consecutive time is fading away. A difficult and a challenging journey is ahead for the Men in Blue.
WTC final scenarios – India need to beat Australia 4-0 to qualify on their own
With 18 Tests to go in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, several teams are still in contention, and no team is assured of a place in the top two. Here is how the Indian team stack up.
India
Percent: 58.33, Matches remaining: Australia (five away)
Three shocking defeats against New Zealand means India are now in real danger of missing out on the WTC final at Lord’s next June. To be certain of still finishing in the top two, India now need to beat Australia 4-0. Four wins and a draw will lift India’s points to 65.79%, which will be marginally more than New Zealand’s maximum (64.29%) if they blank England 3-0 at home.
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India will then be at worst second on the points table, after South Africa, who can finish on a maximum of 69.44% with 2-0 home wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, these scenarios are based on other teams maximising their points. If that doesn’t happen, India can still make it with far fewer points. If, for example, these results happen from the key upcoming series:
India lose to Australia 2-3
New Zealand draw with England 1-1
South Africa draw 1-1 at home in both their remaining series
Australia draw 0-0 in Sri Lanka
If the above four series go as mentioned, then Australia will finish on top at 58.77%, but India’s 53.51% will still be enough for second place, ahead of South Africa (52.78%), New Zealand (52.38%) and Sri Lanka (51.28%). Thus, India don’t necessarily need four wins if other results go their way. However, it’s far more likely now that they will need help from other teams to finish among the top two.
It is going to be a very tough journey for the Indians now, Lets hope our boys shock the aussies by giving them a crushing defeat and make it to the finals at Lord’s.
