WTC final qualification scenarios: How can India qualify for the World Test Championship final after a draw in the Brisbane Test?
The rain-hit third Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw on Wednesday, December 18. Resuming their first innings on 252-9, India were bowled out for 260 as Akash Deep was stumped for 31. The Aussies tried to make a match out of it by declaring their second innings on 89-7. The weather, though, had the final say in the Test.
The result in Brisbane means the teams will head into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG with the scoreline still reading 1-1. If we take a look at the World Test Championship (WTC) table after the conclusion of The Gabba Test, India's PCT has slipped to 55.88. The remaining two matches in BGT 2024-25 will be crucial with regard to their qualification hopes for the WTC final.
If Rohit Sharma and co. win both their remaining games in BGT 2024-25, their PCT will rise to 60.52. Australia then won't be able to surpass them even if they beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in the away series. India can also finish above the Aussies with a win and a draw. For that, Sri Lanka will have to draw at least one of the two Tests against the Aussies.
In the event of India losing one of their remaining two Tests, they will need Sri Lanka to beat Australia by a 2-0 margin. Also, if South Africa lose both their Tests against Pakistan, India can qualify for the WTC final with one win against Australia. The other finalist will then be decided on the basis of the result of the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test series.
List of remaining matches for India, Australia and South Africa in the 2023-25 WTC cycle
Below is the list of remaining matches for India, Australia and South Africa in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.
December 26-December 30: India vs Australia, 4th Test, Melbourne
December 26-December 30: South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Centurion
January 3-January 7: India vs Australia, 5th Test, Sydney
January 3-January 7: South Africa vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, Cape Town
January 29-February 2: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Galle
February 6-Febraury 10: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd Test, Galle