Team India’s hopes of qualifying for the WTC final is still alive and kicking after South Africa’s second consecutive defeat at the hands of the Australian national cricket team in the ongoing three-match Test series.
South Africa surrendered at the hands of Australia in the first and second Test at The Gabba and MCG respectively. Australia won the first Test by six wickets and then followed it up with another win in the second Test.
Pat Cummins and Co won the second Test by an innings and 182 runs and also won the series. They are just a win away from inflicting a 3-0 whitewash on South Africa. Australia are definitely getting stronger as the second cycle nears its final phase. It is quite evident that they would qualify for the final in the first place.
Here is how India can qualify for the WTC Final
Technically, three teams namely India, South Africa and Sri Lanka have a chance of competing with Australia in the second cycle of the World Test Championship final.
Among the three teams, India have a great chance of making it to the WTC Final because they have only one series remaining and they will host Australia for the four-match Test series.
Team India will have to churn out positive results in the form of 3-0 or 3-1 or 4-0 in order to make it to the second consecutive ICC World Test Championship final.
As things stand, Team India are in the second position on the ICC WTC points table with 99 points. They have an aggregate of 58.93% whereas Sri Lanka have bagged 64 points with an aggregate of 54.55%. Proteas are fourth on the table with 72 points and have an aggregate of 50%.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka can qualify for the WTC final if they can inflict a 2-0 whitewash on New Zealand in their own den. Besides that, Team India and South Africa need to lose all their remaining games.
Team India earlier strengthened their chances of qualifying for the WTC final by putting up a great fight in the two-match Test series against the Tigers. KL Rahul-led Indian cricket team won the Test series by 2-0. The first Test between India and Australia will begin on February 9 in Nagpur.
