All-Team World Test Championship Scenario: How India, Australia and Others Can Qualify for Finals

Things are getting tight at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings with just 15 per cent separating the top two teams, India and Australia, and the chance of a repeat of the 2023 title clash remains. a clear possibility. Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand continue to compete for one of the top two spots in the rankings and a place in next year’s one-off Test at Lord’s.

Here’s a look at the situation as the championship comes to a close:

First – India: 62.82 percent of possible points.

Remaining series: New Zealand (home, one Test), Australia (away, five Tests)

Best possible finish: 74.56 percent.

The two-time World Test Championship runners-up were eyeing a place in next year’s final, but back-to-back errors at home against New Zealand have left the door open for rival teams.

While Rohit Sharma’s side still maintain a narrow lead at the top of the table, another loss in the third Test against the Black Caps will see them travel to Australia next month needing to win at least four of their matches in Australia to secure qualification. classification, since by the ICC.

Regardless of what happens in Mumbai against New Zealand, the five-match series against Australia at the end of the year will be pivotal for India and their chances of reaching a third consecutive World Test Championship final.

Second – Australia – 62.50 percent of possible points

Remaining series: India (home, five tests), Sri Lanka (away, two tests)

Best possible finish: 76.32 percent

Reigning World Test Championship winners Australia are on course for a second consecutive appearance in the final, but Pat Cummins’ side will still need to win a minimum of four of the remaining seven Tests if they are to defend the title they won in 2023.

The only advantage Australia has over India is that they will have two Tests in Sri Lanka next year, meaning they could, in theory, draw 2-2 with Rohit Sharma’s team and stay in contention for a place in the final. before that trip to Asia.

But first things first for Australia, who have a poor recent record at home against India and will be eager to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in more than a decade.

Third – Sri Lanka: 55.56 percent of possible points

Remaining series: South Africa (away, two Tests), Australia (home, two Tests)

Best possible finish: 69.23%

A striking victory over England in the third Test in England means Sri Lanka could still challenge for a place in the World Test Championship final with three more wins in the remaining four Tests.

Their task will be difficult, with two tests scheduled in South Africa at the end of November and a further two-match home series against reigning champions Australia in 2025.

If Sri Lanka can claim a win in South Africa, they could finish on the podium at home, with the top two spots still to be decided in the final series of the cycle.

Four – New Zealand – 50 percent of possible points

Remaining series: India (away, one Test), England (home, three Tests)

Best possible finish: 64.29%

Winning a series for the first time in India has given New Zealand some hope of a second World Test Championship title, but they still have a lot of work to do if they are to finish in the top two places in the standings.

The Black Caps will likely need to win the remaining four Tests to reach the final, meaning they will have to complete the series by sweeping India (they have already won two consecutive Tests there) and England at home if they must.

It’s not impossible, but it will be difficult for the Kiwis.

Fifth – South Africa: 47.62 percent of possible points

Remaining series: Bangladesh (away, one test), Sri Lanka (home, two tests), Pakistan (home, two tests)

Best possible finish: 69.44 percent

A first win on the subcontinent in more than 10 years has given South Africa hope of reaching next year’s World Test Championship final, but they will likely need to replicate that success in the second Test against Bangladesh and then win three of their four contests. at home at the end of the year.

The two-match home series against Sri Lanka in late November will be crucial for the Proteas as a sweep there will boost their own chances of reaching the final and end any hopes the island nation had. reaching the decisive match of the title.

South Africa are a real threat to the top teams with four home games remaining, but getting that second successive win in Bangladesh will also be key to their prospects.

Sixth – England: 40.79 percent of possible points

Remaining series: New Zealand (away, three tests)

Best possible finish: 48.86 percent

Back-to-back defeats in Pakistan have left England out of contention for a place in next year’s final, and Ben Stokes’ side have just three more Tests left in this cycle.

They travel to New Zealand for a three-match series against the Black Caps and will look to end the cycle on a high note with a win in the away series.

Seventh – Pakistan: 33.33 percent of possible points

Remaining series: South Africa (away, two Tests), West Indies (home, two Tests)

Best possible finish: 52.38 percent

Pakistan have won back-to-back Tests under the watchful eye of new coach Jason Gillespie, but remain out of contention to reach the final with a total of six teams ahead in the standings.

While Pakistan could still win the remaining four Tests and finish with a percentage as high as 52.38 per cent, this is unlikely to be enough to finish in the top two places in the rankings.

Eighth – Bangladesh: 30.56 percent of possible points

Remaining series: South Africa (home, one Test), West Indies (away, two Tests)

Best possible finish: 47.92 percent

The recent home defeat to South Africa ended Bangladesh’s chances of reaching next year’s finals as the Asian team only has three Tests left in this cycle.

They could still win those three matches to finish with a percentage of 47.92, but this would not be enough to be in a first World Test Championship final.

Ninth – West Indies: 18.52 percent of possible points

Remaining series: Bangladesh (home, two games), Pakistan (away, two games)

Best possible finish: 43.59 percent

Apart from a moment of glory against Australia in Brisbane in early 2024, it has been a forgettable second World Test Championship cycle for the West Indies.

The Caribbean men lost 20 of a possible 24 points at home against India to start the campaign, and lost the first Test in Australia by 10 wickets before the improbable victory at the Gabba in January.

Kraigg Brathwaite’s men were unable to emulate the same success in England, losing heavily in all three matches, before dropping 20 points in a home series against South Africa.

Following their home series in Bangladesh at the end of November, the West Indies will take on Pakistan early in the new year to complete their campaign.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated channel.)