The race to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023-25 is heating up, and cricket fans around the globe are glued to the action. With the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia underway, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both teams are battling not just for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) but also for a coveted spot in the WTC Final.
As the series stands tied at 1-1, the outcome of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) could significantly impact the WTC points table and India’s chances of making it to the final. Let’s break down the scenarios, the current standings, and what India needs to do to keep their WTC Final hopes alive.
Table of Contents
What is the Current WTC Points Table?
The WTC points table is a dynamic leaderboard that determines which two teams will qualify for the final. Here’s how the standings look as of December 28, 2024:
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Penalties | Points | % Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 76 | 63.33 |
| 2 | Australia | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | -10 | 110 | 57.29 |
| 3 | India | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | -2 | 118 | 54.63 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | -3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | -22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
What Happens if the Boxing Day Test Ends in a Draw?
If the Boxing Day Test ends in a draw, here’s how the WTC points table will change for India and Australia:
- India: India will remain in third place with 54.63 percentage points.
- Australia: Australia will hold on to second place with 57.29 percentage points.
This scenario keeps India’s hopes for the WTC Final alive but makes their path more challenging. India will need to win their remaining matches and rely on favorable results from other series to secure a spot in the final.
Boxing Day Test Highlights So Far
The Boxing Day Test has been a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their strengths. Here are the key moments so far:
- Australia’s Dominance: Steve Smith’s masterful 140 and a solid fifty from debutant Sam Konstas helped Australia post a commanding first-innings total.
- India’s Fightback: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s unbeaten 105 and a gritty 126-run partnership with Washington Sundar have kept India in the game.
With the pitch offering little assistance to bowlers, a draw seems like a likely outcome.
WTC Final Scenarios for India
India’s qualification for the WTC Final depends on the outcomes of their remaining matches and other series. Here are the possible scenarios:
1. India Wins Both Tests (MCG and SCG)
- India will secure a spot in the WTC Final, regardless of other results.
2. MCG Ends in a Draw, India Wins at SCG
- India will need Sri Lanka to win at least one Test against Australia in their upcoming series. Even two draws in that series could favor India, likely leading to an India vs South Africa final.
3. India Loses Both Tests (MCG and SCG)
- India will be out of contention for the WTC Final.
4. MCG Draw, SCG Loss
- This scenario would nearly eliminate India’s chances, leaving them reliant on improbable combinations of results elsewhere.
5. Both MCG and SCG End in Draws
This scenario opens up multiple possibilities:
- If Pakistan wins both Tests against South Africa, and Sri Lanka wins both Tests against Australia, the WTC Final would be India vs Sri Lanka.
- If South Africa wins both Tests, and Australia wins both Tests against Sri Lanka, the final would be South Africa vs Australia.
- If Pakistan wins both Tests, and Australia and Sri Lanka share their series 1-1, the WTC Final would be India vs Australia.
- If South Africa and Pakistan split their series 1-1, and Australia and Sri Lanka also split their series 1-1, the final would be South Africa vs Australia.
What India Needs to Do to Reach the WTC Final
To maximize their chances of reaching the WTC Final, India must:
- Win at least one of the remaining Tests against Australia.
- Avoid penalties and maximize their percentage points.
- Hope for favorable results in other series, particularly involving South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Why the WTC Final Matters
The World Test Championship Final is the pinnacle of Test cricket, offering teams a chance to prove their supremacy in the longest format of the game. For India, reaching the final would be a testament to their resilience and consistency in a highly competitive tournament. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and emerging stars like Nitish Kumar Reddy stepping up, India has the talent to make it to the final.
Conclusion: Can India Keep Their WTC Final Hopes Alive?
The Boxing Day Test is a crucial moment in India’s WTC campaign. While a draw would keep their hopes alive, it would also make their path to the final more complicated. To secure a spot in the WTC Final, India must deliver strong performances in their remaining matches and hope for favorable outcomes in other series.
As the competition intensifies, cricket fans can only hope that India rises to the occasion and keeps their WTC dreams alive. Stay tuned for updates as the drama unfolds in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy!
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