The third test between India and Australia was drawn in Brisbane. After this result, the 5-match series between the two is equal to 1-1. Australia remains at number-2 and India at number-3 in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. Whereas South Africa is at number one.
India will have to win both the remaining matches to reach the final on its own. On the other hand, if Australia wins 3 out of 4 matches, it will finish in the top-2. Whereas South Africa needs only one win in 2 tests against Pakistan.
India is at number three, need 2 wins Even after playing a draw in Brisbane, India's hopes of reaching the WTC final are still alive. India has 114 points from 17 matches with 9 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws. A penalty of 2 points was imposed on the team, hence currently their position is number-3 with 55.88% points. India now has 2 matches left in the current series against Australia. If the team loses even one match, it will be out of the race for the finals.
Australia needs 3 wins Australia has been able to win only one match so far in BGT, but the team has more chances left to reach the finals. Australia has 106 points from 15 matches with 9 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. The team was also penalized 10 points, hence they have 58.89% points. After India, Australia has to play 2 Tests in Sri Lanka. They need more than 60% points to qualify on their own.
South Africa's work will be done with one win South Africa seems to have the easiest task in the race for the WTC final. South Africa has 76 points in 10 matches with 6 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw. He has 63.33% points. The team has to win only one out of 2 tests against Pakistan, with this the team will qualify with 61.11% points. If both the matches are won, the team will have maximum points of 69.44%.
Sri Lanka needs support from other teams Sri Lanka increased its troubles by losing both the Tests in South Africa. Now the team has only 60 points from 5 wins and 6 losses in 11 tests. The team is at fifth position with 45.45% points, they have 2 matches left against Australia. By winning 2-0, the team will score 53.85% points and can reach the top-2. However, for that, South Africa and India will have to lose most of their matches. If Sri Lanka plays even one draw then the team will be eliminated.
Sri Lanka has defeated New Zealand 2-0 at home.
Pakistan can also reach the final Pakistan also has a small chance of playing the WTC final. The team currently has 40 points after 4 wins and 6 losses in 10 tests. They also got a penalty of 8 points, hence the team is at number 7 with 31.25% points. The team has 4 matches left, 2 from South Africa and 2 from West Indies.
If Pakistan wins all four matches, then they will have 52.38% points. Here also they want a penalty of 1 point on South Africa, only then the team will be able to reach above them. However, if India and Australia win even 1-1 match, Pakistan's hopes will be dashed.
4 teams out of the race 9 teams participate in WTC. Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan do not play World Test Championship series. West Indies, Bangladesh, England and New Zealand are out of the race for the final. Among these, West Indies is the only team which was out of the race even before its last series.
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
