New Delhi. The Indian cricket team suffered a major setback in its hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship after losing the Melbourne Test. Team India needed to win the Boxing Day Test but it could not happen. Australia dealt a tough blow to the Indian team’s hopes of reaching the WTC final by defeating them by 184 runs at the MCG. Australia is leading 2-1 in the 5-match Test series. The Indian team would like to strengthen its position in the race for the WTC final by winning the Sydney Test to be played from Friday. The South African team has already qualified for the finals. South Africa has reached the final of the WTC for the first time. As to which team South Africa will face in the final, the teams of Australia, India and Sri Lanka are in the race for the second team.
India’s WTC percentage point is 52.78 while Australia’s percentage point is 61.46. At present, South Africa may face Australia in the final. There is a strong possibility of this. The final match will be played at Lord’s in June. But if there is some reversal then what will happen to India and Australia. An equation is also being formed here that India and Australia may have the same percentage points. What will happen in such a situation. Who will benefit India or Australia?
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India is at second place with 52.78 percentage points.
The Indian team is currently at second place in the WTC points table with 52.78 percentage points. Team India’s percentage points have declined after losing the Melbourne Test. Indian team has 114 points. On the other hand, after winning the Melbourne Test, Australia’s chances of reaching the WTC final have increased. Australia has 61.46 percentage points. If everything goes well and the Indian team wins the fifth test. Whereas Sri Lankan team will play the upcoming two matches against Australia.
If the Test series is drawn or the series is won, in this situation Australia’s PCT will reduce to 55.26. In such a situation, the Indian team will qualify for the WTC final for the third consecutive time.
This is the WTC 2023-25 playing condition rules
According to the ICC WTC 2023-25 Playing Conditions, under Article 16.1.2, it is clearly stated that if the teams have equal points in the group stage, then in that condition it will be seen which team has won the most series. The team winning more series will reach the WTC final. In the current cycle, India has played the most Tests and performed well. If such an equation is formed then India will be in advantage.
How can Team India qualify for the WTC final?
The Indian team does not have much in its hands to reach the WTC final. The Indian team can take the WTC percentage point to 55.26 by winning the Sydney Test against Australia. After this, it will have to depend on Sri Lanka, which after India has to play a two-match Test series with Australia. If Sri Lanka wins the series from Australia then it will be good for the Indian team. If Sri Lanka beats Australia 1-0 or 2-0 in the series, then the Indian team will enter the finals. But if Sri Lanka fails to do so and Australia is successful in winning even a single Test, then Pat Cummins’s army will fight with South Africa in the final.
Tags: IND vs AUS, India vs Australia, World test championship, WTC Final
FIRST PUBLISHED : January 2, 2025, 7:31 PM IST