India still remain in contention to enter their second successive World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final despite suffering a massive nine-wicket defeat to Australia in the 3rd Test of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 in Indore. The Men in Blue suffered batting collapses in both the innings of the Test match and could only post a 76-run total for Australia to chase and win. The result saw Australia enter the WTC final. India had made the inaugural final, where the side, led by Virat Kohli, had suffered a heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand. Currently placed second on the World Test Championship 2021-23 points table, India have a chance to enter the final of the competition alongside Australia. ICC World Test Championship 2021–23 Points Table Updated.

Apart from India and Australia, Sri Lanka, too are in the hunt for a spot in the final. The Lankan lions are set to take on New Zealand in a two-match Test series, the first of which gets underway on March 9. The series result will have a bearing on India’s WTC final chances. Sri Lanka are third behind Australia and India with a point percentage (PCT) of 53.33. Let us look at India’s chances of qualification for the World Test Championship 2021-23 final.

How Can Indian Cricket Team Qualify for World Test Championship 2021-23 Final?

India are currently placed second on the WTC standings after the Indore Test defeat with a point percentage (PCT) of 60.29. The Rohit Sharma-led are favourites to go through, but it will depend on the outcome of the fourth and final Test against Australia and how things go about in the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand series. ICC Announces WTC Final Schedule, World Test Championship 2021-23 Summit Clash to Be Played at the Oval From June 7–11.

  • India need a win in the fourth and final Test match against Australia in Ahmedabad to seal a spot in the World Test Championship 2021-23 final. A 3-1 series win is enough for the inaugural runners-up to book their ticket to the Oval.

  • A draw or defeat in the Ahmedabad Test will severely hamper India's chances, with the series finishing 2-2 or 2-1. India can then have a maximum PCT of 58.79 and must wait for the outcome of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test series to find their fate.

  • India will not qualify for the WTC final if they fail to win the Ahmedabad Test and Sri Lanka beat New Zealand 2-0 in their upcoming series. A 2-0 win for Sri Lanka will see them have a PCT of 61.11, surpassing India's 58.79 and they will join Australia in the final. If Sri Lanka win 1-0, then they will have a PCT of 55.55, which would not be enough for them to enter the WTC final.

Both India and Sri Lanka would be looking to play their best brand of cricket in the remaining games of this WTC 2021-23 cycle to qualify for the final. The WTC is heading into a pretty exciting stage at this point and cricket fans will not want to miss any of the games, which can have a decisive say on the WTC finalists.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2023 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).