India's road to the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has become a lot tougher after a ten-wicket loss to Australia in the second Test of the Frontier-Gavaskar Trophy at the Adelaide Oval. With this loss, India has fallen to third place in the WTC standings, with their percentage of points (PCT) going down to 57.29.
Australia regained the top spot with a PCT of 60.71, while South Africa still in second place, poised to go through if they win their next Test against him Sri Lanka. With only three matches left in the current WTC cycle, India will need to be almost flawless in their remaining matches to keep their finals hopes alive.
What must India do?
India now faces a daunting task. To be fully eligible without relying on other results:
- India need to win the remaining three Tests: This will increase their PCT to 64.05, ensuring a place in the final.
- If India win two matches and draw one: Their PCT will rise to 60.52, which should also be enough.
- Any other losses or additional withdrawals: India would then depend on favorable results in other games involved Australia and South Africa.
Scenarios If India do not win 4-1
If India can't get wins in their remaining three Tests, they will need other results to work with. Let's try to analyze different results:
1. If India Win 3-2:
- India will end with 134 points and a PCT of 58.77.
- Australia, with only two matches remaining against Sri Lanka, cannot cross this PCT.
- South Africa can only surpass this if they win their remaining two matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
2. If India win 3-1:
- India's PCT will improve to 60.52.
- Australia, even with back-to-back victories, cannot break this mark.
- This position guarantees India a place in the final, barring any surprise results from South Africa.
3. If the series ends 2-2:
- India's PCT fell to 57.01.
- Australia would overcome this if they win their two Tests against Sri Lanka.
- A 2-0 Australian series win over Sri Lanka would put India out of contention.
Role of Australia and South Africa
Australia currently lead the standings but will rely on their results against Sri Lanka to secure their final berth. South Africa, with Tests still to come against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, remains a big threat for him Indiaand opportunities.
Can India achieve the impossible?
With an erratic margin, India will have to regroup and deliver a strong performance in the upcoming games. Skipper Rohit Sharma and the team will aim to take advantage of the home position and ensure they are in a third consecutive WTC final.
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