New Delhi: India’s unbeaten run against New Zealand at home came to an end on Sunday as they slipped to an 8-wicket defeat in the 1st Test at the M Chinawammy Stadium in Bengaluru. New Zealand produced a comprehensive all-round performance to win their first Test match in India after 36 years. However, despite the defeat India are still at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2024-25 points table.
New Zealand delivered a reality check to India after the hosts’ 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded series. The Kiwis bowled out India for a paltry 46 runs in their first innings before amassing a huge lead of 356 runs by posting a big total of 402 runs in their first innings. India did fight back in their second innings but it was not enough to save the Test match.
India rode on Sarfaraz Khan’s brilliant 150 and Rishabh Pant’s 99 to set up a total of 462 runs in their second innings and hand a 107-run target to the Kiwis. New Zealand comfortably chased it down to wrap up a historic victory, their first on Indian soil since November 1988. It was India’s third defeat in the current WTC 2023-25 cycle and it hurt the team’s chances of making it to the final of the competition.
While the defeat has jeopardised India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC 2023-25 final, Rohit Sharma & Co. are still on the top of the points table with a win percentage of 68.06. India now have 8 wins, three losses and 1 draw from 12 matches in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. Australia are in the second spot with a PCT of 62.50 followed by Sri Lanka in the 3rd spot with a win percentage of 55.56.
Check out the updated WTC points table:
WTC points table. (Photo: ICC)
How can India still qualify for the WTC final
India’s 8-wicket defeat against New Zealand in Bengaluru has left them in a spot of bother as far as their chances of qualifying for the WTC final are confirmed. India headed into the 1st Test needing to win at least 4 Test matches and draw two of their remaining 8 matches in the ongoing WTC cycle to be assured of a spot in the final.
However, after their defeat in Bengaluru, India need to now win 4 of their remaining seven games and get at least two draws to finish with a PCT of over 65% which will guarantee them a spot in the final. Even if India manage to win their remaining two Test matches against New Zealand in the ongoing three-match series, they will still have to win at least two Tests against Australia on their tour Down Under later this year.
India and Australia will play five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 later this year and the Rohit-led visitors will have to win at least two of those matches to guarantee a spot in the WTC final. However, it will be an incredibly difficult task for India considering Australia’s quality.
At least three wins and a draw in their remaining seven Test matches will ensure India finish with a PCT of over 60. While that might be enough, it will still not confirm India’s spot in the WTC 2023-25 final. India will aim to win at least 4 Test matches in their remainder of the season to ensure they enter their third straight WTC final.
