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After the Men in Blue were crowned the T20 World Champions in June this year, the Rohit Sharma-led side will eye to seal the Test champions title as they aim to make their third consecutive appearance in the World Test Championships (WTC) Final 2025. However, the WTC 2025 Final is set to be played in June at the Lord’s in London, the road to the summit clash has already begun with Team India playing ten Tests.
However, the Rohit Sharma and Co. had a winning start to their long Test calendar after they triumphed over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai by 280 runs. However, the second Test of the two-match series now hangs in doubt of a draw with no play on two days and only 35 overs being bowled till Day 3.
How can India qualify for WTC Final if second test ends in a draw?
Although, rain was predicted on the first two days of the second Test, with no rains on Day 3, the play was called off due to wet outfield. However, the probability of rain has comparatively reduced, the game is likely to resume on Day 4 (Monday), but what will happen if no play is possible and the match ends in a draw.
Looking into all permutations and combinations, India currently sits at the top of the WTC standings with a PCT of 71.67 after 10 matches. Although they sit at the pole position, a 2-0 series win would have meant that India would need only three more wins in remaining eight Tests to secure a spot in the final. But if no play is possible in the second Test from here on, India will have to win at least five of the next eight matches, provided the other contenders don’t drop any points on the way. Thereafter, a clean sweep against New Zealand at home and at least two wins in the five-match Test series against Australia would bolster India’s chances of qualifying for the final.
Seeing the upcoming calendar, India will host New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home from October 16 to November 5, followed by the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy starting from November 22 in Perth.
