India's loss has impacted their WTC qualification chances; Check how they can still make it to WTC Final
The third test between India and Australia in Indore ended after two days and one session, with the visitors dominating the whole game. Australia won the game by nine wickets, with the scoreline at 2-1 in favour of India with the fourth and final game left to play.
With the win, Australia became the first team to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship 2021–23 for England in June this year. Ahead of this game, Australia was at the top with 66.67, while India was sitting in second place with 64.06.
#WTC23 Final bound 🏆
— ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2023
Congratulations Australia. See you in June! 👋 pic.twitter.com/H2YdaWPzYV
However, with a comprehensive win, Australia has qualified, and their percentage points have increased to 68.52, while India is still at the second spot with 60.29 points. For India to qualify, they need to win the fourth and final test in Ahmedabad, which will be a clear qualification for them.
However, if they lose that game, then their qualification will depend on the two-match series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka later this month. Sri Lanka is placed third on the WTC table with 53.33 percent, and if they win both games against the Black Caps and India loses the fourth test, then Sri Lanka will qualify for the WTC final in place of India.
Thus, the loss in the third game has made the scenario a bit tricky for Rohit Sharma and his men, and their below-par batting performance in Indore would have dented the confidence of the team. India got dismissed for 109 and 163 runs in two innings of the test. Only Cheteshwar Pujara (59) scored a half-century for India in two innings.
Day 3 started with Australia needing 76 runs to win. Although they lost Usman Khawaja (0) early, the partnership between Travis Head (49*) and Marnus Labuschagne (28*) helped them seal the deal for the visitors. Both teams will now face each other in the final test, starting on March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.