Final WTC Scenarios: After the conclusion of the India vs New Zealand Test series which ended in a shocking 3-0 result for the Indian team, there are 18 Test matches left to be played in the ongoing 2023-25 ​​cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with multiple teams. still in contention for a place in the summit clash. At the end of the cycle, the teams that finish in the top two will be able to play in last year’s titular competition and no team is yet assured of a place in the final.

Even Team India can reach the ICC WTC final even if they are whitewashed at home. However, India will have a tough task ahead as their only remaining series is a five-match away series against Australia. For the Indian team to keep their destiny in their hands, they need a 4-0 win against Australia. Four wins and a draw in Australia would mean India’s points would reach 65.79%, which would be better than New Zealand’s maximum points (64.29%), a point they would reach if they beat England 3-0 at home.

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A 4-0 result in Australia would mean India would at worst be second on the points table after South Africa who can potentially reach 69.44% points if they beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, such scenarios assume that the other teams reach their maximum points.

How can Australia finish first and India second at the WTC?

If this does not happen, India can still qualify for the WTC final with fewer points. Even though India lose to Australia 2-3, New Zealand and England draw 1-1, South Africa draw 1-1 at home in their two remaining series and the Australia draws 0-0 in Sri Lanka.

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If these four results happen, in such a scenario Australia will end up on top with 58.77%, India might have only 53.51% but that would still be enough for them to move into second place. South Africa will occupy third place with 52.78% while Sri Lanka will be fourth with points at 51.28%. This suggests that while India may not need four wins, they would aim for the same goal if they do not want to depend on the results of other teams’ matches.