Australia leads 2-1 against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a victory in Melbourne. India can qualify for the WTC final in June 2025, provided they win in Sydney and Sri Lanka defeats Australia. A loss or draw in Sydney will eliminate India from contention for the final.
Australia has taken a significant lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a hard-fought victory in the fourth Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, giving them a 2-1 advantage in the series. The outcome of this match has put India’s aspirations for qualification in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at risk. However, India still retains a slim chance to qualify, contingent upon their performance in the upcoming Test in Sydney and the results of Sri Lanka’s home series against Australia.
Currently, the points table for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 reveals the competitive standings among the teams. As it stands, South Africa has qualified with 66.67% points, followed closely by Australia with 62.11%, while India trails at 52.77%. Furthermore, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and West Indies follow in the rankings with varying records of matches played.
For India to secure a spot in the WTC final at Lord’s on June 1, 2025, victory in the final Test against Australia in Sydney is crucial. A win would increase India’s percentage points to 55.26. Additionally, they would require Sri Lanka to win their matches against Australia by a convincing margin of 2-0. Conversely, should India face a draw or loss in Sydney, they would be eliminated from contention for the WTC final irrespective of the results from the Australia-Sri Lanka series.
The current cricket landscape is heavily influenced by the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test series played between India and Australia. The series outcome directly affects team standings in the World Test Championship, which is an important competitive framework for assessing national test cricket teams. With only a limited number of matches remaining before the final, every game holds significant implications for qualification scenarios, especially for teams like India that aim for a spot in the final.
In conclusion, India’s fate regarding qualification for the WTC final hinges entirely upon their upcoming match in Sydney. A victory is essential for maintaining hopes alive, compounded by the need for Sri Lanka to perform well against Australia. The results of these matches will ultimately define whether India can overcome this hurdle and secure a place in the prestigious final at Lord’s in 2025.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
