India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC final in 2025 are at risk after their defeat in Melbourne. To remain in contention, they must win their upcoming match in Sydney while hoping for Sri Lanka to defeat Australia. Their current standing shows India in third place with a critical need for results to align favorably to secure a place in the final.
India’s quest for qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025 remains uncertain following their recent defeat against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The loss not only placed Australia ahead by a score of 2-1 in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series but also left India’s hopes hinging on their performance in the upcoming Test in Sydney. To secure their place in the WTC final at Lord’s, scheduled for June 1, 2025, India must achieve victory in Sydney and simultaneously rely on favorable outcomes from other matches, particularly those involving Sri Lanka against Australia.
Currently, in the ICC WTC 2023-25 standings, India holds the third position with nine wins out of 18 matches and a point percentage (PCT) of 52.77%. The rankings underscore the competitive nature of the series, with South Africa having already qualified and Australia in a strong second position. A win in the last Test would boost India’s PCT to 55.26%, which could be instrumental if Sri Lanka manages to defeat Australia by a margin of 2-0 in their home series. Conversely, any result less favorable than a win in Sydney would eliminate India from the WTC final race irrespective of the Sri Lanka outcomes.
The World Test Championship is a critical tournament that determines the top teams in international Test cricket, culminating in a final match to declare the champion. The current WTC cycle runs from 2023 to 2025 and features various teams competing in a series of matches to accumulate points based on their performances. The stakes are high for teams aiming to secure a spot in the final at Lord’s, with the performance of contenders like India rendered particularly precarious following setbacks in key matches, such as their recent encounter against Australia in Melbourne.
In summary, India’s prospects for qualifying for the WTC final in 2025 largely depend on the results of their upcoming Test match in Sydney. Winning this match is essential for maintaining their hopes, in conjunction with a favorable outcome from Sri Lanka’s matches against Australia. This delicate scenario emphasizes the unpredictability of the tournament and the pressing need for India to secure a decisive win to keep their championship aspirations alive.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
