Today the Indian cricket fans are highly disappointed as the Australian cricket team secured a commanding 184-run victory over India in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chasing a target of 340 runs in 92 overs on the final day, India was bowled out for 155 in 79.1 overs. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India with a valiant 84 off 208 balls but received little support from the other end.
India’s experienced trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli failed to make any impact once again, with scores of 9 (40 balls), 0 (5 balls) and 5 (29 balls), respectively, all falling in the first session. The loss in front of more than 50,000 fans at the MCG dealt a blow to India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.
India, currently ranked third on the points table with a 52.78% points percentage (PCT), can still qualify for the final at Lord’s against South Africa next year. To do so, they must defeat Australia in the fifth Test starting January 3, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground and rely on Sri Lanka to win their two-match Test series against Australia 2-0 or 1-0, beginning January 29, 2025, in Galle.
Under this scenario, India would finish the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a 55.26% PCT, ahead of Australia (maximum 53.51% PCT) and Sri Lanka (maximum 53.85% PCT). However, if India loses or draws the New Year Test, their hopes of qualifying for a third consecutive WTC final will be over.
Meanwhile, South Africa secured their place in the WTC final for the first time by defeating Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of their two-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday, December 29.
Sri Lanka defeating Australia by 2-0 or 1-0 seems impossible which means that India is almost out of the race of playing the World Test Championship final. Only time will tell what happens, till then let’s wait and watch!
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