03 Nov 2024 at 01:27 PM IST
Can India reach the WTC finals now? Here’s what Rohit Sharma and company need to do!
Team India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) took a major hit after Rohit Sharma and his teammates lost the third and final Test to New Zealand by 25 runs, losing the series 0-3. This is the first time India have been whitewashed in a three-match Test series at home. The hosts were unable to chase down a total of 147 as Ajaz Patel returned with six wickets in the fourth and final over.
Mumbai: India captain Rohit Sharma leaves the field. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patel) (PTI11_03_2024_000019A)(PTI)
Defeat in the third Test against New Zealand now has disastrous consequences for India’s chances in the World Test Championship, as their remaining five Tests this cycle are against Australia, below.
As a result of this loss, India has now lost its top position in the World Trade Center rankings, and its score has dropped to 58.33. Earlier, the loss in Pune meant that India’s World Trade Center points percentage fell from over 74 per cent to 62.82 per cent in the space of eight days.
Australia now ranks first in the World Trade Center ranking with a PCT of 62.50. Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand also have a chance to reach the WTC finals. However, it is fair to say that India now face an uphill task to reach a third successive FIFA World Cup final, having previously reached the final in 2021 and 2023.
What does India need to do to reach the WTC finals?
To now qualify for the WTC final without relying on others, Rohit Sharma and company cannot afford another defeat in their remaining five matches. India are now required to pull off a stunning 4-0 or 5-0 upset Down Under against the reigning WTC champions to reach the final for the third time in a row.
India need at least two more wins to stay in contention for the final, but that will not be enough as the team will need other results to sway their way. To maintain the PCT over 60, India must win at least two matches and draw four matches.
If India fails to win 4-0 or 5-0 over Australia, Rohit Sharma will have to look closely at the series between Sri Lanka-Australia, South Africa-Sri Lanka and South Africa-Pakistan. However, if India does not win two matches in Australia, they can say goodbye to the final chances at the World Trade Centre.
Updated World Trade Center points table
Australia (PCT 62.5)
India (PCT 58.33)
Sri Lanka (PCT 55.56)
New Zealand (PCT 54.54)
South Africa (PCT 54.16)
England (PCT 40.79)
Pakistan (PCT 33.33)
Bangladesh (27.5)
West Indies (18.52)
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