"It's a mess of our own making" - Aakash Chopra on India's WTC final qualification scenarios after loss in BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has noted that India's precarious situation in the quest for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final is their own making. He pointed out that the 0-3 loss in the home Test series against New Zealand has put them in a tight spot.
India recently suffered a 10-wicket defeat against Australia in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Adelaide. The loss, coupled with South Africa's win in the second Test against Sri Lanka, meant the two-time finalists slipped to third in the WTC points table.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the 0-3 reversal against the Kiwis at home is the biggest reason behind India's troublesome situation.
"It's a mess of our own making. A West Indies match still comes to mind, where we were troubled because of rain, and there was no result. The headache is only because we lost 0-3 to New Zealand. If we had taken 100 percent points there, we would have been sitting at ease today. That is the biggest problem," he said (7:20).
Chopra noted that India will have to win the ongoing series against Australia either 3-1 or 4-1 to guarantee a spot in the final.
"I saw a post from CricAspect on X. The first thing is very simple, India have three matches left, and if you win all three remaining matches, you don't need to worry at all. It means you will win this series 4-1 and won't need to depend on anyone else. Your qualification will be confirmed in the first week of January," he observed.
"Interestingly enough, if you win only two matches and one match gets drawn, which means you win the BGT 3-1 and not 4-1, 3-1 will still make India qualify because you get points for a draw. India will directly qualify and won't be dependent on anyone else," Chopra added.
Chopra opined that South Africa are virtually assured of a berth in the WTC final, with India and Australia competing for the other spot. He expects the Proteas to win the two-Test home series against Pakistan to qualify for the summit clash.
"Sri Lanka will have to draw at least one of the two Test matches against Australia" - Aakash Chopra on India winning 3-2 in BGT 2024-25
![The remaining three BGT 2024-25 Tests will be played in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/b3791-17338036930946-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that India will need Sri Lanka to draw at least one of their two home Tests against Australia if the visitors manage only a 3-2 win in the ongoing BGT.
"If you win two matches, say Melbourne and Sydney, but lose in Gabba, which means you win the series 3-2, Sri Lanka will have to draw at least one of the two Test matches against Australia. If that happens, India will qualify. Then Australia cannot cross India's points," he said.
The former India opener added that Rohit Sharma and company will be even more dependent on the Lankan Lions if the BGT ends in a 2-2 draw.
"If that too doesn't happen, assuming we end at 2-2, you will need a little more help. India will then need Sri Lanka to win the series, whether they win 1-0 or 2-0. Then India will have 55.3 percent points but Australia won't be able to go ahead of us. We are out if we lose the series," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra concluded that Indian cricket will be very different if they lose the Test series against Australia. He expects many new faces on the Indian side if they don't qualify for the WTC final.