India, the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the WTC, is as of now in the fourth put on the WTC standings with 52.08% places, behind table-toppers Australia (75%), South Africa (60%), and Sri Lanka (53.33%).
Delhi, India: There is a good chance that India will reach the World Test Championship final for the second time in their history when they play Bangladesh in a two-match series that starts on Wednesday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. This will be India’s first time playing red-ball cricket.
India, which finished second in the inaugural WTC, is currently fourth in the standings with 52.08 points, behind Australia (75 percent), South Africa (60 percent), and Sri Lanka (53.33%).
However, they will be without skipper Rohit Sharma (left thumb) at least for the first Test against Bangladesh. Mohammad Shami (shoulder injury), Jasprit Bumrah (back injury), and Ravindra Jadeja (left-arm spin all-rounder) (right knee injury) are also out.
India must win all of their remaining Tests — two in Bangladesh and four against Australia at home in February and March of next year — to be in contention for the WTC final, which will be held at The Oval in June 2023, with a possible win percentage of 68.06%.
However, in order for India to advance to the WTC final, they will have to rely on the outcomes of other teams if they lose two of their remaining six Test matches. Also, if India wins all four Tests against Australia next year, the number of visitors in the WTC table will go down as well.
If Australia wins all three of its home matches against South Africa, it will finish with a minimum percentage of 63.16. If they lose all four matches against India, they will be guaranteed a spot in the WTC final.
India is also dependent on South Africa
Additionally, India will have to hope that South Africa loses at least three of their remaining five Test matches. Starting this week, the Proteas will play three Test matches in Australia. Next year, they will play two matches at home against the West Indies.
India’s chances of reaching the WTC final may be in doubt if they win a minimum of three games, one against Australia and two at home against the West Indies. Their minimum percentage point total will be around 60.
England and Bangladesh are already out of contention
To remain in contention for the final, Sri Lanka must also secure two victories in their final WTC series against New Zealand next year. That possibility will be crushed by a drawn series.
Bangladesh and England are already out of the running, and Pakistan’s hopes were severely dented by their series defeat at home to the Ben Stokes-led team.
New Zealand and West Indies, the current WTC holders, can finish with a maximum of 50% and 48%, respectively, but this may not be enough to get them into the WTC final.
The equation for India is straightforward: win the remaining six matches to maximize their chances of reaching the WTC final. They’ll be happy with five wins and a draw, but a loss or two defeats will put their hopes in jeopardy.