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India’s 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday helped them build second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings while also causing some significant movement.
Bangladesh fought hard, but India won by three wickets thanks to Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer’s batting prowess. India are now only one point behind Australia in the World Test Championship standings, putting them in a good position to compete in back-to-back finals.
South Africa, in addition to Australia and India, is a contender for the WTC final. A look at the various scenarios in which these teams could reach the final.
First – Australia – 76.92 per cent of possible points
Australia are in pole position to reach their first World Test Championship final, with Pat Cummins’ side currently leading the standings.
Following a dominant performance in the first Test against South Africa, Australia has two more home matches against the Proteas, which they will be confident of winning given their current rich vein of form.
Australia’s final assignment this period will be four Tests in India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February and March next year, but if things go well on home soil, they could be in the final before that tour.
Second – India – 58.92 per cent of possible points
Despite missing a number of key players due to injury, India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 away from home, raising their point percentage to 58.92.
They will need to produce some good results during their four-Test home series against pacesetters Australia if they are to qualify for back-to-back appearances in the World Test Championship final, so India still has a lot of cricket to play.
If Australia wins the current series against South Africa 3-0, India will need to win the series against Australia by any margin.
However, if South Africa wins in Australia and then sweeps the West Indies 2-0, India would need to win either three Tests or win two and draw the remaining two against Australia to ensure they finish above South Africa’s 60 per cent.
Third – South Africa – 54.55 per cent of possible points
Losing a Test match within two days is never good news, and South Africa was dealt another blow after their six-wicket loss to Australia when they fell out of the top two and were replaced by India in the World Test Championship standings.
The good news for Dean Elgar’s team is that they still have a chance to reclaim their place in the top two, but they must respond quickly during their current series in Australia.
South Africa does have the luxury of two home matches against the West Indies in February and March, but they will want to make sure they don’t leave themselves too much work by the time that series arrives.
Source:OCN
