With the WTC 2023-25 cycle entering its final stages, the race to grab the first two spots has become intense. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka are still in contention for the top two finishes apart from India.
But after suffering a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand at home, India’s road to the World Test Championship 2025 Final has become tough.
So, that leaves us wondering how India can qualify for the WTC 2025 final.
How can India qualify for WTC 2025 final?
India were sitting comfortably at the top in the WTC 2023-25 points table with 74.24 per cent before the New Zealand Test series. But the Men in Blue lost all three Tests against the Kiwis, resulting in a drastic drop in their point percentage.
Right now, India’s point percentage is 58.33, placing them in second place behind Australia’s 62.50. But despite the drop in percentage, the Indian team can still make it to the WTC 2025 final.
India’s next and last Test series of the current WTC cycle is against Australia on their home turf. They will take on Australia in a five-match Test series starting November 22.
If India want to qualify for the WTC 2025 final on their own, then they need to defeat Australia by a 4-0 or 4-1 margin in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25.
If India wins four matches in the BGT, then their point percentage will soar to 64.03. And if they manage four wins and a draw, then the point percentage will be 65.79.
This can help India finish in the top two spots if New Zealand clean sweeps England 3-0 and South Africa wins both series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan by 2-0.
But what if India doesn’t beat Australia by that margin?
Then India’s qualification depends on other Test series results. Let’s say India lose the BGT against Australia by a 2-3 margin, then their point percentage will be 53.51.
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But the percentage will still help India advance to the final if the following results unfold in the other remaining series:
- England manages to draw the three-match series against New Zealand (1-1)
- South Africa end up with 1-1 draws against Sri Lanka and Pakistan
- Sri Lanka hold up Australia with a 1-1 draw
Going by the above circumstances, India can finish in second place with 53.51 points, while Australia will clinch the top spot with 58.77 per cent.