New Delhi: South Africa became the first team to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final after clinching a thriller against Pakistan in the 1st Test in Centurion on Sunday. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen starred with the bat to help South Africa chase down the target of 148 runs from a tricky position in their second innings to pull off a nail-biting victory in the 1st Test and seal a spot in the WTC final.
In pursuit of the 148-run target, the Proteas were left in a tricky spot at 99/8 after pacer Mohammad Abbas ran riot with a six-wicket haul for Pakistan. However, an unbeaten 51-run stand between Jansen and Rabada ensured the Proteas got over the line and became the first finalist of the WTC 2024-25 final which is set to be played at the Lord’s in London in June next year.
South Africa’s qualification has also spiced up the race for the remaining one spot in the WTC 2024-25 final with India and Australia the two strongest contenders. Sri Lanka too are in the fray but they have only an outside chance of qualifying. It is likely to be a two-way race between India and Australia for the 2nd spot in the WTC final.
India and Australia are currently locking horns in the 4th Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with the five-match series locked at 1-1 after the first three matches. Australia currently have an edge in the 4th Test having extended their lead to 333 runs at stumps on Day 4 with a wicket in hand.
India will have to pull off the highest successful run-chase in the history of Tests at the MCG to win the fourth Test even if Australia declare without batting in their second innings on Day 5. No team has chased down a target of more than 330 runs at the MCG in a Test match. However, India will be desperate to force a result with a spot in the WTC final on the line, making it an exciting Day 5 on Monday.
Updated WTC points table:
What India and Australia need to qualify for WTC 2024-25 final?
India are currently sitting at the third spot on the WTC 2023-25 points table with a win percentage of 55.88 having won 9, drawn 2 and lost six of their 17 Test matches in the ongoing cycle. Australia, on the other hand, are in the second spot with a win percentage of 58.89 after 9 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws from 15 Test matches.
While India only have the ongoing 4th Test at the MCG and the fifth Test at Sydney against Australia remaining in their current cycle, Pat Cummins & Co. will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and have 4 Tests remaining in the cycle, including the ongoing MCG Test.
Australia will qualify directly for the WTC 2023-25 final if they manage to win both 4th and 5th Test against India in the ongoing series. However, if they lose both Test matches, they will be out of the race for the final. Australia will need to win at least one Test in Sri Lanka or secure two draws to qualify if the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 ends in a 2-2 draw.
Breakdown of India’s chances
3-1: The equation is simple for India if they win both their remaining two Tests against Australia. They will qualify directly if they can win the 4th and 5th Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
2-2: However, if India lose in Melbourne and win the 5th Test in Sydney, they will finish with a PCT of 55.26 and will need Sri Lanka to beat Australia 2-0.
The scenario remains the same if India lose the 4th Test in Melbourne and end the series 2-2 with a victory in the fifth and final Test in Sydney.
1-2: If India lose one and draw the remaining Test match against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, they will end up losing the series 1-2 and will be out of the race for the WTC final.
1-1: If the series ends 1-1 with India and Australia playing out draws in both the remaining Test matches, India would need Sri Lanka to beat Australia 2-0 to stand a chance. If Australia manage even a solitary win in the two Tests against Sri Lanka, they will pip India and secure a spot in the final.
South Africa became the first team to qulaify for the WTC 2023-25 final after beating Pakistan by 2 wickets in a thriller in Centurion on Sunday. The race for the remaining one spot in the WTC 2023-25 final has intensified with India and Australia in contention. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
