WTC final qualification scenarios: How can India qualify for the World Test Championship final after 0-3 series loss to New Zealand?
Team India suffered an unimaginable home Test series whitewash against New Zealand with their 25-run defeat in the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It was the first time India suffered a home whitewash in a Test series with three or more games.
The result not only deeply hurts the passionate Indian fans and players in isolation but also becomes a massive blow to their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. After entering the home series against New Zealand comfortably atop the WTC standings, India have let go of a maximum possible 36 points to fall to second place.
With eight wins, five losses, and a draw in 14 outings, India's percentage points of 58.33 after five series are only marginally better than Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and South Africa's at 55.56, 54.55, and 54.17 respectively.
Rohit Sharma's men have only one series left in this WTC cycle - the five-Test series in Australia, starting November 22. India will have to win that series 4-0 or better to qualify for the WTC final without depending on other results.
Barring such a result, they will have to hope New Zealand does not whitewash England in their upcoming three-match series at home, and Sri Lanka and South Africa record more losses than wins in their remaining Tests.
How does the remainder of the 2023-25 WTC schedule look for India's competitors?
While India will embark on their daunting five-Test series in Australia, their closest competitors for WTC final spots South Africa and Sri Lanka will play each other in a two-Test series in South Africa from November 27 to December 9.
The Proteas will then play another two-Test series at home against Pakistan from December 26 to January 7 to complete their 2023-25 WTC cycle. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will play their final series of the WTC cycle at home against Australia in a two-match affair from January 29 to February 10.
Coming to New Zealand, their final assignment - the three-Test series at home against England will be played between November 28 and December 18.
New Zealand and Australia won the WTC trophy in the first two editions in 2021 and 2023 - both defeating India in the grand finale.