Last Update: March 03, 2023, 12:09 PM IST
India is still ahead 2-1 in the series. (AP Photo)
World Test Championship final scenario: While Australia have made it to the title clash, India are still second in the race to join them
In the matter of just two days of Test cricket, the atmosphere around the Australian cricket team has changed in dramatic fashion. He not only made a comeback in style in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy but also made it to the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
ICC World Test Championship Points Table
In the current cycle of the championship, Australia will top the table by winning 11 of their 18 Tests over the (2021-23) period. The win has helped them take 68.52 points out of their possible WTC points, which has ensured them the top spot irrespective of the result of the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad.
How can India qualify for WTC final?
A win in the fourth and final Test would be enough for Rohit Sharma’s men to book a date with Australia. However, should they lose then it will become a bit difficult.
Sri Lanka are also in the race for the last spot and will next face New Zealand in a two-match Test series. If Sri Lanka wins 2–0 and India draws or loses the Ahmedabad Test, Sri Lanka will qualify.
Read also: A minor chase of two halves throws the visitors off the mark
If Sri Lanka wins 1-0, India’s win/draw/loss in the fourth Test will not matter. Even if the Sri Lanka-New Zealand series ends in a 1-1 draw, India will still qualify.
New Zealand is out of the final race.
Australia make it 2-1
After losing the first two Tests in India within three days, Australia were on the verge of another series loss when they arrived in Indore a few days back for the third match. And losing the toss on a pitch that was getting progressively worse for batting was another step in that direction.
But Matthew Kuhnmann produced a memorable five-for on debut in his second Test to bowl India out for just 109 before a solid half-century from Usman Khawaja took an 88-run first-innings lead despite a poor performance. Batting collapse on the second morning.
wrist, whip, product: Cheteshwar Pujara and the art of playing spin
It was then time for veteran Nathan Lyon to step up and step up. An accurate offie, taking eight for 59 including the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara, again restricted India to 163, with Australia needing 76 runs to win with three days of play left.
The third morning began in dramatic fashion when Ravichandran Ashwin removed Khawaja with the second delivery. But they overcame that setback with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne en route to a memorable nine-wicket win.
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