Team India are on the verge of qualifying for the ICC World Test Champions (ICC WTC) final. The Rohit Sharma-led side needs to win one of the remaining two Tests in the ongoing series against Australia to seal their place in the final.
India have already taken an unassailable lead in the four-match series by winning the first two Tests. And while India are expected to win at least one of the two remaining games, there is always a possibility of things not panning out in an expected manner especially after what happened in the ongoing third Test.
India suffered an inexplicable collapse after Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first. The hosts were bowled out for just 109 in just over a session. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann ran riot, taking 5 for 16 while Nathan Lyon picked up 3 wickets.
What if India lose both the Tests:
While India are in a strong position to progress to the ICC WTC final, there is a slight possibility that they might miss out on it if things don’t go their way. So what will happen if India end up losing both the Tests of the ongoing series?
In case, the series ends at 2-2, Sri Lanka will play a big role in determining India’s fate in the ongoing ICC WTC. As of now, India, Australia and Sri Lanka are in contention to make it to the final of the ICC WTC. And while India and Australia are the favourites to progress, Sri Lanka still have a chance.
In case the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series ends at 2-2, India will have to depend on Sri Lanka’s two-match series against New Zealand. The Islanders can finish the ongoing campaign with a 60-plus PCT.
Losses in the last two Tests against Australia would see India finish the ongoing ICC WTC cycle with a PCT of 56.94. On the other hand, Australia will finish with a PCT of 70.17 and will book their place in the final.
Sri Lanka can then pip India to set up a clash with Australia by winning both the Tests against New Zealand. A 2-0 win over New Zealand will see Sri Lanka finish with a 61.11 PCT. Sri Lanka will also be in contention if Australia lose the remaining two Tests. But in any case, the Islanders need to win both their Tests against New Zealand to have a realistic chance of making it to the final.