How India can still qualify for 2027 WTC Final after Kolkata Test defeat?

India’s hopes of reaching the 2027 World Test Championship final took a hit after their 30-run loss to South Africa in the opening Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This defeat means India can no longer win the series against the Proteas, marking the midpoint of their 2025–27 WTC campaign. So far, they have secured just one series win—a 2-0 victory over the West Indies—and drew 2-2 in their five-Test contest against England earlier this year.

Currently placed fourth on the WTC table, India have played eight matches, winning four and losing three, giving them a win percentage of 54.17%.

India still have 10 Tests left in this cycle, beginning with the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. They will then tour Sri Lanka and New Zealand for two Tests each, before finishing with a crucial five-Test home series against Australia in the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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While results on the field will remain decisive, it’s too early to rule out any team, as the competition remains open. Past WTC cycles suggest that teams generally need to cross a 65% points threshold to qualify, with India in 2023 being the only exception.

For India to surpass the 65% mark and stay in the race, they must win at least 8 of their remaining 10 Tests. Winning six and drawing four would take them to 68.52%, safely above the benchmark. However, two losses and a draw would bring their percentage down to 64.81%, and three defeats with one draw would drop them below 60%, making qualification very unlikely.