Explained: How a draw in the Kanpur Test will affect India's WTC final qualification chances
Day 2 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur on Saturday, September 28, was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. The first day of the Test match also saw only 35 overs of play. After winning the toss and bowling first, India reduced Bangladesh to 107-3.
With more rain predicted on Day 3 of the Test match, the Kanpur clash between India and Bangladesh seems to be heading for a draw. The result of the second Test in Kanpur will be crucial concerning Team India's chances of qualifying for the final of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC).
India hold the first position in the 2023-25 WTC points table. They have a points percentage (PCT) of 71.67 from 10 matches. In case, the Kanpur Test finishes in a draw, Rohit Sharma and company will have to win five of their next eight matches to confirm their place in the final, assuming that the other top two contenders do not drop points.
After the Bangladesh series, India will play three Test matches at home against New Zealand and five away Tests against Australia. Looking at the current state of the WTC points table, the Aussies are second with a points percentage of 62.50.
Further, Sri Lanka are in third place with a PCT of 50, while New Zealand are fourth with a PCT of 42.86. Team India need to ensure that they finish above at least two of the three sides to reach the WTC final.
List of India's remaining Tests in the WTC 2023-25 cycle
As mentioned earlier, India will play three Tests against New Zealand at home after the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. They will then fly to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Below is the list of India's remaining matches in the ongoing WTC cycle.
October 16 to October 20: India vs New Zealand, 1st Test, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
October 24 to October 28: India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
November 1 to November 5: India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
November 22 to November 26: India vs Australia, 1st Test, Perth Stadium, Perth
December 6 to December 10: India vs Australia, 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval
December 14 to December 18: India vs Australia, 3rd Test, The Gabba, Brisbane
December 26 to December 30: India vs Australia, 4th Test, Melbourne
January 3 to January 7: Australia vs India, 5th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground