India’s chances of making it to the ICC World Test Championship final have brightened after South Africa’s series defeat against England. Dean Elgar and Co. jumped to the top of the table after a win in the series opener. However, they received a massive jolt, losing the last two games.
England’s chances of qualifying for next year’s ICC World Test Championship final are negligible. However, the series win over South Africa have opened gates for India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma and Co. are currently placed fourth in the points table. India have won six out of their 12 matches in the competition. With four losses and two draws in the other six games, India’s points tally stands at 75 points. They have earned 52.08% points so far and have six matches remaining.
India’s next series is against Bangladesh away from home. It is a two-match series and will be followed by a four-match Test series against Australia at home. If India win their remaining six games without any penalties, they will have 68.05% points (147 out of 216).
How can India qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final?
However, India will have to look at a handful of other results to go their way to make it to the World Test Championship final. Let’s take a look at them.
1. Pat Cummins and Co. are at the top of the points table right now with 70% points. However, things could change quickly if they are whitewashed by the Rohit Sharma-led outfit in their away series.
India’s points percentage will be 68.05% if they win their games against Bangladesh and Australia. If Australia lose to India 0-4, their points percentage will be below 68.05% even if they win their home series against West Indies and South Africa.
2. Pakistan need to draw at least one of the five remaining matches. If Babar Azam and Co. win all five games, their points percentage will increase to 69.04%, which is more than India. Thus, for India to finish above Pakistan, Indian fans will have to hope that Pakistan drop some points. Hence, the Indian fans will want the Men in Green to lose points in at least one game.
3. South Africa need to lose at least one of their remaining matches to end below India’s 68.05 percentage of points. The World Test Championship points table is still wide open and India have a good opportunity to make it to the final for the second time in a row.
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