New Delhi: Australia on Sunday became the second team to confirm its spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Pat Cummins-led side will face South Africa in the title clash at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in London from June 11 to 15 this year. The development comes after Australia trounced India in the fifth and final Test match in Sydney by six wickets to win the series 3-1.
For the very first time India won’t be part of a WTC final after featuring in the previous two matches against New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023), though the Asian giants finished as runners-up in both instances. But then India have to own the slack for squandering the advantage.
Position
Team
Played
Won
Lost
Draw
DED
Points
Win %
1
South Africa
11
7
3
1
0
88
66.67
2
Australia
17
11
4
2
10
130
63.73
3
India
19
9
8
2
2
114
50
4
New Zealand
14
7
7
0
3
81
48.21
5
Sri Lanka
11
5
6
0
0
60
45.45
6
England
22
11
10
1
22
114
43.18
7
Bangladesh
12
4
8
0
3
45
31.25
8
Pakistan
11
4
7
0
8
40
30.3
9
West Indies
11
2
7
2
0
32
24.24
India’s strong position in this WTC cycle
Not long before in the early part of October after India defeated Bangladesh in the Kanpur Test from a tumultuous position to sweep the series 2-0, Rohit Sharma’s men held the pole position in the WTC standings with a win per cent of 74.24 with eight wins in 11 Tests.
Australia were ranked at the second spot at that stage with a win percent of 62.50 after playing 12 matches. Sri Lanka at third with 55.56%, and South Africa at fifth with 38.8%. It would have been an easy guess for many that India and Australia would play a repeat of the 2023 WTC final in London at a different venue this time.
The downfall
In the wildest dreams not one would have imagined New Zealand to win a Test match in India, let alone a series. But an unfancied team led by Tom Latham, and sans Kane Williamson, scripted history beyond belief by inflicting a 3-0 whitewash on India. No visiting side since England in 2012 had won a Test series in India as the hosts dominated in their den with a record of 18 Test series win at home.
New Zealand’s incredible win opened the doors for teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand themselves to contend for a WTC spot. After the whitewash, India’s win percentage had fallen to 58.33 and they lost the top spot in the standings to Australia. South Africa by then had a win per cent of 54.16 post their 2-0 series win in Bangladesh.
South Africa’s rise
The Proteas moved to the top of the points table after defeating Sri Lanka by 2-0 margin with 63.33 win per cent. India had dropped to third spot with 57.29% after the defeat in Adelaide to Australia in the second Test.
Following the Boxing-Day Test win against Pakistan in Centurion, South Africa became the first team to book berth in WTC final with 66.67%. India’s case only got worsened after the defeat in Melbourne concurrently. There was a glimmer of hope though even at this point of crisis.
India had to win the Sydney Test and rely on Sri Lanka to beat Australia by a 1-0 margin in their two-match series later in January. But with the defeat on Sunday, it was all but over for India to move into their third straight WTC final.
India, despite a strong start to the WTC cycle, suffered a series loss to New Zealand and subsequent defeats, ultimately missing out on the final for the first time. South Africa’s consistent performance throughout the cycle secured their top spot and a place in the championship match. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
