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Can India Really Qualify for the WTC Finals?

India's Virat Kohli (3L) celebrates with teammates after the wicket of New Zealand's Neil Wagner (unseen) on the fifth day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between New Zealand and India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southwest England on June 22, 2021. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

The ongoing Test series between Australia and India is crucial in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC), with a spot in the final quite literally on the line. South Africa has already secured their place in the WTC finals, and now the question is: who will join them — India or Australia?

Given the permutations and combinations for India’s qualification to the WTC finals, here’s a look at how this could happen, theoretically.

If the ongoing Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ends in a draw, India will definitely need to beat Australia in the upcoming Sydney Test. However, if India somehow manages to win the MCG Test and then also wins the Sydney Test, things will look much better.

Another important factor is Australia’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka. If Sri Lanka manages to win the 2-match Test series against Australia on home soil, India will qualify for the WTC finals. Even a 1-0 series win by Sri Lanka will see India through.

This post was last modified on 30 December 2024 1:52 am