TV
India suffered a historic Test loss against New Zealand in Pune on Saturday. As a result, India’s 12-year winning streak at home ended in spectacular fashion.
In the process, India’s chances of entering the World Test Championship Final has been hampered a lot.
Though India still sit at the top of the table, their winning percentage has come down from 68.06 to 62.82.
While second-placed Australia have a PCT of 62.50, third-placed Sri Lanka are on 55.56. New Zealand are fourth with PCT of 50 while fifth-placed South Africa’s PCT in 47.62.
Top two teams with highest winning percentage will enter the final.
Now, to qualify for their third consecutive WTC Final without relying on external results, India must win four of their remaining six matches. If India win four of the six matches and draw one, their PCT will stand at 65.79, which would be good enough to make their way into the third WTC final.
Under the circumstances, the upcoming Test series against Australia will be the real litmus test for India. If India don’t manage to win four out of six tests, they will have to depend on the results of other teams.
India's loss has opened up the race for the WTC Final, giving the likes of Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand besides Australia, a strong opportunity to qualify for the WTC25 Final next year.
The historic win against India has elevated the Black Caps, who now have a PCT of 50, to the fourth spot and back into the reckoning for a finals spot.
Sri Lanka, who have a PCT of 55.56, occupy the third spot while Pakistan's nine-wicket victory against England in the third Test in Rawalpindi has helped them climb to seventh place with 33.33 PCT. England, who have 40.79 PCT, are sixth.
