To qualify for the WTC final, India need to win the series, while England need to win both Test matches. Anything else will see Australia through.
India’s push towards securing a spot in this year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand got a much-needed boost following their resounding 317-run series-levelling win over England in the second Test on Tuesday (17 February) at Chennai. As per the latest standings released by the ICC, Virat Kohli’s men are now at the second spot with a win percentage of 69.7 and and 460 aggregate points.
India are behind only New Zealand, who currently top the chart with of 70 and 420 respectively. They have won 10 matches, lost four and drawn one. Australia are at third spot with 69.2 and 332, while England are fourth, with 67 and 442.
India started the ongoing four-Test series against England at the top of the table in the WTC standings. However, following the huge defeat in first Test, things became a bit tricky for them as they were demoted to fourth place. Now, a victory in the second Test gives them some breathing space. Meanwhile, to secure their spot in the final, India must not lose another Test in this series and they also require to win at least one more game.
For England to qualify, they have to win both Tests at Ahmedabad. However, if they win 2-1 (or the series ends in a 1-1 or 2-2 draw), Australia will make it to the final, which will be played in the United Kingdom in June.
The third Test, a day-night affair, begins on February 24.