New Zealand registered a historic Test series win in India on Saturday after Mitchell Santer produced his career-best performance at the Pune MCA Stadium. The 113-run defeat came after Rohit Sharma's team was humbled by 8 wickets at Bengaluru by the Kiwis in the opening Test. While India were handed their first home defeat after 18 consecutive Test series victories, New Zealand celebrated their first-ever series win in the Asian country in nearly 70 years.
Surrendering the series also took a hit on India's chances of making the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The final match against New Zealand and November's Border-Gavaskar Trophy have now become very important for India's journey ahead. The Kiwis's victory, meanwhile, has given the likes of Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand besides Australia, a strong opportunity to qualify for the WTC25 Final next year.
In plain words, although all is not over for India, it will now take a string of impeccable performances to ensure that they reach the summit clash at the Lord's. In the backdrop of the series loss against New Zealand, here are five things that Indian cricket fans need to know about the WTC Final qualification scenario:
1. The Pune defeat against New Zealand was India's fourth loss in the current WTC cycle. However, India remain the leaders with 62.82 points compared to second-placed Australia’s 62.50.
2. As things stand, India need to win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia to ensure their qualification to the final. Well, what if India win a Test and draws the rest? That won't do the trick any more as Rohit Sharma's men have to win four of the remaining six matches in the current cycle to be absolutely certain of a place in the final.
3. This scenario also elevates the status of the third and final Test against New Zealand from a dead rubber. India must win the final Test at Mumbai to keep their qualification hopes alive. In other words, there is plenty to fight for as the two sides meet again on November 1.
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4. Sri Lanka, who have a PCT of 55.56, occupy the third spot while Pakistan's nine-wicket victory against England in the third Test in Rawalpindi has helped them climb to seventh place with 33.33 PCT. England, who have 40.79 PCT, are sixth.
5. Meanwhile, fifth-placed South Africa (47.62 PCT) can finish in the top-two if they manage to win their remaining five matches. After the second Test of the ongoing series against Bangladesh in Chattogram next week, South Africa will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan at home. The fact that Sri Lanka is not a formidable side away from home, and the unpredictability of Bangladesh gives the Proteas a real chance to turn the tables in their favour.
