WTC 2023 Final Qualifying Scenario: Australia has qualified for the WTC final following a convincing 9-wicket win against Team India in Indore. Two teams are competing for the last spot in the tournament. One of the four games between South Africa and the West Indies has no chance. This moves the attention to the outcome of the Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand series, which begins on the same day as the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Top Spot for WTC 2023:
Australia was the first team to secure their place in the Test series against India. Nevertheless, two crushing losses, one by an innings and 123 runs in the first game and one by six wickets in the second, saw Team India emerge as the number one team to clinch the deal. The tables have now flipped, with Australia dominating the third game.
With 68.52 PCT, Australia has risen to the top of the WTC points standings. India is in second place with 60.29 PCT, but they haven’t made it to the final yet. Sri Lanka, who is in third place, is a threat to India’s qualification.
India vs. Australia, Fourth Test Match:
After three dust bowls, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was finally a batting paradise for the India-Australia series. However, the change may not help the hosts much since they are trying to qualify for the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC). Before the series finals, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid said that the choice to play on turners and result-oriented surfaces was made with the WTC final qualifying in mind. Still, when the ICC said that the pitch in Indore was bad, a batting paradise was set up. Australia took advantage of this when they won the toss and scored 480 runs in the first innings. Usman Khawaja scored 180 runs, and Cameron Green scored 114 runs to reach his maiden Test century.
India Scenario for WTC 2023 Final:
The type of surface and Australia’s talent may jeopardize India’s prospects, considering that India must win the current match if they do not want to rely on other outcomes to make the WTC 2023 final. If India wins the current test, their points percentage (PCT) will increase from 60.29 to 62.5. If they lose, the PCT will fall to 56.9. If the game is a tie, India’s PCT will be 58.7.
As a consequence, if Sri Lanka wins the match against New Zealand, India’s destiny is out of their control. Sri Lanka leads New Zealand by 65 runs (2nd innings) in the series opener in Christchurch and should easily defeat the Kiwis in the next Test match. Sri Lanka’s PCT is now at 53.33. If Sri Lanka wins the first game of the series, their PCT will jump to 57.58. Nevertheless, in order for Sri Lanka to qualify for the WTC final, they must win both Test matches since only their PCT will reach 61.1.
Sri Lanka’s hopes would collapse if they failed to win even one of the two matches against New Zealand. Sri Lanka’s PCT will be 52.77 if they win one and lose the other. If they win one match and tie the other, their PCT will be 55.55. As a result, even if India loses the Ahmedabad Test (or the game is drawn), they will still have a chance to qualify for the final.
WTC 2021-23 Final Scenarios:
For Australia vs. India-
India to win the 4th Test, or Sri Lanka to lose or draw one Test match vs. New Zealand.
For Australia vs. Sri Lanka-
Sri Lanka has to defeat New Zealand by 2-0, or India will lose the fourth Test.
Read this: IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar
