Explained: India’s chances of qualifying for WTC Final after losing Bengaluru Test to New Zealand
Explained: IND's chances of qualifying for WTC Final after Bengaluru Test loss
India lost a home Test to New Zealand for the first time in 36 years, drawing flak from fans over a few poor decisions, including batting first on day two, which saw them getting all out on their lowest Test total (46) at home. Though they tried making up for it with a massive effort in the second innings (scoring 462), New Zealand’s first-innings lead of 356 turned out too much for the hosts.
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant were the heroes with the bat in hand, scoring 150 and 99, respectively, but India could only set a target of 107 runs, and conceded the match inside the first session on day five, with New Zealand winning by eight wickets.
With India losing the first Test of the series, how will this impact their standings on the WTC table, and what do they have to do to seal a place in the final for the third straight time?
India on WTC standing
Despite losing the first Test in Bengaluru, India remainin thetop spot, with a PCT of 68.06, Australia second (62.50), followed by Sri Lanka (55.56) at third. New Zealandclimbed to the fourth spot with 44.44 PCT, gaining 12 points from their maiden Test win on Indian soil in over three decades.
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Although India remains favourites to qualify for the WTC 2025 Final next year at the Lord’s in June, their current position doesn’t guarantee that. For India to make it to the WTC Final, they have to win at least six of the seven remaining matches (two against New Zealand and five versus Australia Down Under) in this cycle, which will see their points percentage reaching the maximum of 74.56, which only Australia can exceed.
In case India loses two matches and wins the remaining five, the maximum PCT they can attain is 69.3, which Australia and South Africa can overtake. For India to avoid getting into this situation, they must win five and draw one.
Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand (by virtue of this win in Bengaluru) can trouble India with certain results going their way.
If India loses three matches from here, the best PCT they can have is 64.04, a tally that four pairs—Australia & South Africa, Sri Lanka & New Zealand, South Africa & New Zealand, and Australia & New Zealand—can overtake.
Meanwhile, in two cases, where India wins four matches and draws one or wins five games and draws one, they will more or less qualify for the WTC Final.
Pune will host the second Test between India and New Zealand starting Thursday (Oct 24).
(With inputs from agencies)
