The World Test Championship was turning out to be a smooth sailing for India until New Zealand came to visit, lest we forget their exploits from last summer. Following a humiliating loss to New Zealand in a home series that prompted many changes in the squad and management, India fell off the ladder and ended second instead. In the third and final Test played in Mumbai, India lost to New Zealand once again, who whitewashed them, beating them 0-3, the first time India has been beaten at home since 1999-2000, when South Africa managed a 2-0 win in a Test series. In fact, it is the very first time 0-3 has been recorded in a home series for India. It was also their fifth defeat in the current World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, which affected their points percentage (PCT) drastically, which was 62.82 and reduced to 58.33. This meant that the Men in Blue could only manage second place and were behind the defending champions Australia, who had returned to pole position with a PCT of 62.50.
India are now scheduled to head Down Under for a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, however with the series taking an added dimension as the two teams will be battling to earn a spot in the finale.
India was expected to win most of the remaining contests in their bid to reach the summit clash for the third time in a row lookingat the WTC.
But now the challenge has increased as in order to qualify for the final and not rely on the results of other teams, they have to win four out of their remaining five matches which is not easy in Australia.
As for Australia they are in a more favorable situation since they have to win only four out of seven tests remaining.
New Zealand’s historic series sweep at India has also enhanced New Zealand hopes of playing in the WTC final.
They have moved to the fourth position, with a PCT of 54.55, while Sri Lanka is placed above them at the third position with a PCT of 55.56
South Africa who is WTC standing fifth with PCT 54.17 also have a shot at top two finish and a place at the one off test next year at Lord’s.
