How India Can Still Qualify For ICC World Test Championship Final Despite 3-0 Loss To New Zealand

WTC Final Scenarios: India can still qualify for the ICC World Test Champions final at Lord's next year but have a stern task ahead of them.

India might have lost 3-0 at home but they can still go on to qualify for the ICC WTC Final 2023-25.

Source : PTI

WTC Final Scenarios: After the conclusion of India vs New Zealand Test series which ended in a shocking 3-0 result for Team India, there are 18 Test matches to go in the ongoing 2023-25 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with several team still in contention for a place in the summit clash. At the end of the cycle, the teams that finish top two will get to play the titular contest in the last year and no team yet is still assured of a place in the final.

Even Team India can go on to reach the ICC WTC final despite being whitewashed at home. However, India will have a stern task ahead of them as their only remaining series is a five-match away series against Australia. For Team India to keep their destiny in their own hands, they need a 4-0 win over Australia. Four wins and a draw Down Under would mean India's points will rise to 65.79% which would be better than New Zealand's maximum points 64.29%, a point where they will reach if they beat England 3-0 at home.

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A 4-0 result in Australia would mean India will be at worst second on the points tally after South Africa who can potentially reach 69.44% points if they go on to beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, such scenarios are assuming that other teams reach their maximise points.

How Can Australia Finish On Top, India On Second In WTC?

If that doesn't happen, India can still make it to the WTC final with fewer points. Even if India lose to Australia 2-3, New Zealand and England play out a 1-1 draw, South Africa draw 1-1 at home in both their remaining series and Australia draw 0-0 in Sri Lanka.

If these four results happen, in such a senario, Australia will finish on top with 58.77%, India might only have 53.51% but it would still be sufficient for them to get to the second place. South Africa will be at the third place with 52.78% while Sri Lanka will be fourth with points at 51.28%. This suggests that althogh India might not need four wins, they would aim the same if they do not wish to depend on the results of other teams' matches.