India are set for a tough run-in as far as the qualifications for the World Test Championship final are concerned. Currently, the two-time finalists are fifth in the points table, followed by Sri Lanka, whom they will face off in a two-match Test series starting 15th August.
Shubman Gill‘s side will tour New Zealand, where they play two Tests, and then host Australia in a five-match series. According to former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, the task will get cut out if India loses more series. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 48-year-old said: “Sri Lanka will be in the mix for a place in the WTC final if they beat India 2-0.”
Chopra also added, “The Lankans, if they beat India 2-0, will have a win percentage of 61 and will have a realistic chance of going forward. If India does win the series with a 2-0 margin, the team doesn’t gain much. Even if the series is drawn 1-1, the win percentage doesn’t change much, and the position stays the same.”
The former India batter also added, “India has to play a two-match series in New Zealand, where it is going to be tough to win. Even if we lose one game, we stand to lose a lot of points. After that, we host Australia in a five-match series. It is safe to say India is in a tough spot.”
As things stand, Pat Cummins-led Australia are top of the WTC points table. Current holders South Africa are second, followed by inaugural champions New Zealand and Bangladesh, who are fourth. The Bangladeshis are set for a historic tour of Australia after 23 years, where they play two Tests starting in a few weeks.
Former India batter rules three teams out of WTC contention
According to the ex-Delhi opening batter, West Indies, Pakistan, and England are out of reckoning for a place in the WTC finals. Joe Root has been re-appointed as the captain of the side post Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket. Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the new Test coach and is set to take over later this year.
Pakistan, on the other hand, had lost an away series to Bangladesh and currently are trailing West Indies 0-1 in their two-match series. Babar Azam‘s team will tour England next for a three-match series starting in August. West Indies have shown great revival in the Test format, but that may not be enough to make it to the WTC final.