Finance
India is third in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep’s spirited tenth-wicket partnership enabled them salvage a critical draw against Australia in the rain-soaked third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Gabba on Wednesday.
While their efforts insured that the five-match series stayed tied at 1-1, they also laid the groundwork for a thrilling end to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 qualification campaign.
Both India and Australia saw their WTC points percentage (PCT) fall: India to 55.88 percent and Australia to 58.89 percent. South Africa, with 63.33 PCT, is out in front of the standings and in the box seat to feature in the one-off Test in June 2025, with Australia and India their closest challengers ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the New Year Test in Sydney at the start of next year.
With only two matches remaining in the current WTC cycle, India has a nearly impossible task of securing a position in the final. Their current PCT of 55.88 has them in third place, after South Africa and Australia. To overtake both and secure qualifying, India must perform flawlessly in the remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
It will not be easy, but it is not impossible, as India must win their final two matches against Australia to ensure qualifying. Any other outcome, however, would make their fate dependent on other outcomes in order to reach the Lord’s Finale.
If India wins each of the remaining Tests against Australia, it would increase India’s PCT to 60.52, assuring they surpass Australia even if the defending champions secure a 2-0 victory in their final series against Sri Lanka.
If India loses one of the final two Tests in this series, it will have to rely on Sri Lanka defeating Australia 2-0.
While India strives for survival, South Africa and Australia find themselves in better positions. South Africa’s comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha has established them as the team to beat. With a PCT of more than 60%, they only need one win in their final two Tests against Pakistan to claim a berth in the WTC final. Even if they lose both matches, they will remain serious contenders until India wins a stunning 3-1 series in Australia.
Australia, now in second place, will travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests. A 2-0 series victory would secure their spot in the final, provided India falters in either Melbourne or Sydney.
For India, the equation is simple yet daunting; win both Tests against Australia or risk elimination.
Source: IANS
