Cricket / What are the scenarios for India, England and Australia to qualify for WTC final?

India, England and Australia are in the running to face New Zealand in World Test Championship final. India would need to win the ongoing series against England 2-1 or 3-1 to reach the final, while England would have to win both the remaining Tests. Australia will reach the final if India-England series ends in a draw or England win 2-1.

Cricket Desk: The Indian cricket team came back with a bang in the second Test at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Virat Kohli and his men thumped the England side by a massive margin of 317 runs to level the four-match series 1-1. Now, the bandwagon will move to Ahmedabad, where the third Test will get underway on 24th February 2021.

Now India’s crushing victory has further intensified the qualification scenarios for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. It is to be noted here that New Zealand have already qualified for the final to played at Lord’s in the month of June. And at this point of time, either India, England or Australia could join the Black Caps to play the final.

Let us briefly delve into what are the qualification scenarios for all three sides.

India

For India to qualify for the final, they will have to win the Test series against England by a margin of 2-1 or 3-1. To put it in more simpler terms, they will have to ensure that England do not win another Test match from here, and will have to win at least one game to book their ticket to Lord’s.

England

As far as England are concerned, the situation is much tougher for Joe Root and his men. England have to compulsorily win the remaining two matches and win the series 3-1 if they want to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Australia

Even Australia has a very good chance of making it to the summit clash at Lord’s. If England manage to win the Test series against the Indian side by a margin of 2-1, or if the series is drawn at 1-1 or 2-2, it will be Australia who will join New Zealand in the final.

In Conclusion

There are two more Test matches to be played between two sides (India and England), and the qualification of three teams is at stake. With the way the Test series between India and England has panned out thus far, we are all set for a cracker of a finish in the final two Test matches. Who said Test cricket is boring?