WTC final qualification scenarios: How can India qualify for the World Test Championship final after their 10-wicket loss to Australia in Adelaide?
Australia secured a commanding 10-wicket victory over India in Adelaide to jump to the top spot of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. On the other hand, India descended to the third position and made their road to the WTC final tricky.
The table-toppers, Australia have nine wins in 14 games and possess a point percentage of 60.71. Meanwhile, South Africa are in the second position with five victories in nine appearances and a point percentage of 59.26. Interestingly, the Proteas are dominating Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test match, and a win could help them enhance their chances of qualifying for the WTC final.
After a disappointing 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, India lost their grip on the WTC table. The Rohit Sharma-led side have nine wins in 16 games and a point percentage of 57.29. After securing a victory in the first Test in Perth, they had briefly risen to the top position, but are now back to square one after losing in Adelaide.
India only have three fixtures remaining in the current WTC cycle, which are all against Australia. Meanwhile, Australia and South Africa will play two Test matches each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, respectively.
Let's check out the scenarios that could help India stake a claim for the top two spots in the table.
1) Winning the remaining 3 Tests
If India manage to win the remaining three Tests against Australia, their point percentage will increase to 64.04. The Australian team might find it difficult to match the percentage, even if they secure a 2-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka.
2) Winning BGT with a margin of 3-1 or 3-2
If India win the series 3-1, they will keep themselves in the top two spots, with a point percentage of 60.52. The position will depend upon Proteas' performances in the Test series against Pakistan.
A 3-2 series victory for India would require Sri Lanka to play out a draw in at least one of the two Tests against Australia.
3) Drawing BGT 2-2
This scenario will put India in an uncomfortable position with a point percentage of 57.01 and allow Australia to rise above them in the rankings. Their qualification will then depend on the results of the Sri Lanka-Australia and South Africa-Pakistan series.
Australia hand India a humiliating loss in Adelaide
The first innings of the Adelaide Test looked like a replica of the Perth outing. The visitors were bundled out for 180, riding on Nitish Kumar Reddy's 42-run knock. Mitchell Starc stole the limelight with his six-wicket haul. (6/48)
Then, Travis Head slammed 140 off 141 to help the hosts secure a monumental 157-run lead in the first innings. Under incessant pressure, India were bundled out for 175, as Pat Cummins completed a fifer. (5/57)
Australia chased down a 19-run total in less than four overs to level the series 1-1. Both teams will clash in the third Test in Brisbane, starting on December 14.