How Team India can still make it to the WTC Final

India’s 3-0 series loss to New Zealand have pushed them to second position in the ICC World Test championship (WTC) points table, well behind Australia. India have 58.33 percentage points as compared to Australia’s 62.5.

Before the start of the series, India were comfortably placed ahead of Australia in the top spot and favourites to reach the WTC final. However, the shock loss has made their qualification for the final very difficult.

They need to win four out of five Test matches in Australia to make it to the final without relying on any other result.

Only 4.16 percentage points separate second-placed India, third-placed Sri Lanka (55.56), fourth-placed New Zealand (54.55), and fifth-placed South Africa (54.17).

If Australia win the series convincingly, say by a margin of 5-0, 4-1, 4-0, 3-0 or thereabouts, then South Africa will have a great chance to leapfrog India and move into second place if they manage to beat Pakistan and South Lanka in the four Tests they play against them at home.

The third-placed Sri Lankans have an even better chance than the Proteas to make it to the final. They just need to repeat their previous performance in South Africa and win a Test there. They have to also beat Australia at home in the two-Test series, by 2-0 (depending on their performance in South Africa), to make it to the final.

The fourth-placed New Zealand have to beat England at their home to make it to the final. By what margin will depend on the performance of India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. To be on the safe side, they will have to win by a margin of 3-0.

There are still ways through which India can qualify even if they don't win four or three Tests in Australia. Let us look at how it is possible: 

If Sri Lanka lose to Australia and manage to draw the South Africa series, they won't move into second position. Similarly, if New Zealand lose to England in the upcoming Test series, they will also fail to move up. If South Africa lose to Pakistan, and at least draw the series against Sri Lanka, they won't threaten India.   

Tags : India cricket team, WTC, World Test Championship, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan cricket team