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On Sunday, December 8, Australia registered a commanding 10-wicket win in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. After bundling out India at the score of 175 in their second innings, the hosts were put to chase 19-run target, which the opening pair of Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney completed in just 3.2 overs to hand Australia their first win in the series.
While the day-night Test in Adelaide proved to be the shortest completed Test in Australia by balls bowled, the Pat Cummins-led side also continued their domination in pink-ball Test at home as they have now completed eight wins in as many day-night Tests. However, overall in pink-ball Test, Australia has won 12 matches out of 13, eight of which have come at home.
How can India qualify for WTC Final after levelling BGT series 1-1?
Although this win for Australia have put them clear favourites to feature in World Test Championship (WTC) Final, set to be played in June 2025. With five Test remaining (three home Tests vs India and two away Tests vs Sri Lanka), Australia could reach the best possible finish with 67.65 percent. In order to confirm their spot, Australia could theoretically draw 2-2 with India and stay in the race.
On the other hand, for India it won’t be an easy qualification with only three Tests remaining in the 2023-25 cycle. After a defeat against Australia in the second BGT Test, India needs to win all their remaining Test matches to ensure qualification and reach the best possible finish of 64.04 percent.
|
Position |
Team |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Draw |
DED |
Points |
PCT |
|
1 |
Australia |
14 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
102 |
60.71 |
|
2 |
South Africa |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
64 |
59.26 |
|
3 |
India |
16 |
9 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
110 |
57.29 |
|
4 |
Sri Lanka |
10 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
60 |
50.00 |
|
5 |
England |
21 |
11 |
9 |
1 |
22 |
114 |
45.24 |
|
6 |
New Zealand |
13 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
69 |
44.23 |
|
7 |
Pakistan |
10 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
8 |
40 |
33.33 |
|
8 |
Bangladesh |
12 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
3 |
45 |
31.25 |
|
9 |
West Indies |
11 |
2 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
32 |
24.24 |
Although, India and Australia aren’t just the two nations in contention to seal the top two spot in the WTC 2023-25 standings as South Africa sit at second place with three more Test matches set to be played and Sri Lanka also look good with similar number of Tests yet to be played.
