The World Test Championship WTC final is set to take place in June 2023, and cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see which two teams will compete for the title. Australia has already secured their spot in the final by defeating India in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, India still has a chance to make it to the final if they can win the fourth Test against Australia or hope that Sri Lanka fails to win both Tests against New Zealand.
Let’s take a closer look at the scenarios that could help India qualify for the WTC final
India wins the series 3-1
If India manages to win the fourth Test against Australia, they will have a points percentage (PCT) of 63.0, which will put them in the second spot in the WTC points table. Even if Australia loses the fourth Test and faces a 3-1 defeat in the series, they will still have a PCT of 65.0 and retain their top spot in the WTC points table. Therefore, India will have to win the series 3-1 to qualify for the WTC final.
India wins the series 2-1 or draws at 2-2
If the last Test match between India and Australia ends in a draw, India will need to hope that Sri Lanka does not defeat New Zealand in the Test series by a score of 2-0. In such a scenario, Sri Lanka will overtake India in the WTC points table and move up to the second spot with a PCT of 61.0, thereby knocking India out of the WTC final race. So, if India wants to qualify for the WTC final with a 2-1 series win or a draw, they need to pray that Sri Lanka fails to win both Tests against New Zealand.
Lot rests on the fate of the Test matches starting in Ahmedabad and Christchurch on Thursday.#INDvAUS #NZvSL #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/9LA53mYrgl
— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) March 3, 2023
Sri Lanka fails to win both Tests against New Zealand
Sri Lanka is currently placed third in the WTC points table with a PCT of 53.0. They will face New Zealand in a two-match Test series starting on March 9. Sri Lanka must win both Tests to qualify for the WTC final. If they fail to win both Tests, they will be knocked out of the WTC final race, and India will qualify for the WTC final irrespective of the result of the fourth Test against Australia.
India has the following paths to qualify for the WTC final:
- Win the series 3-1 against Australia
- Win the series 2-1 or draw at 2-2 against Australia and hope Sri Lanka fails to win both Tests against New Zealand.
- Hope Sri Lanka fails to win both Tests against New Zealand.
India’s fate is no longer in their hands, but they still have a chance to make it to the WTC final. It will be interesting to see how the remaining matches pan out and which team joins Australia in the WTC final.
