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How Can Rohit Sharma’s India Qualify For WTC 2025 Final After Defeat To New Zealand?

Aakash Saini

India lost the Bengaluru Test against NZ on October 20 [Source: @BCCI/X.com]India lost the Bengaluru Test against NZ on October 20 [Source: @BCCI/X.com]

The Indian cricket team slipped to a massive eight-wicket defeat against New Zealand in Bengaluru to go 0-1 down in their three-match Test series. The outcome marked India’s first Test defeat after a string of six straight victories over opponents like England and Bangladesh at home.

Moreover, India’s slip-up in Bengaluru also hampered their WTC 2023-25 prospects to a certain extent before taking the all-important flight to Australia next month. As Rohit Sharma’s troops head towards the decisive stages of the championship, here we take a look at how Team India can still qualify for the final, set to be played next year.

How can India qualify for their third straight WTC final?

Despite succumbing to a rare home defeat on October 20, the Indian cricket team is still occupying the top spot on the 2023-25 WTC points table. However, circumstances can change drastically if the defeat ends up hampering India’s positive momentum in the long run. Rohit Sharma and co. still have seven more Tests left in the bank, including two against New Zealand to conclude the ongoing home series and five impending fixtures in Australia later this year for the ‘Border-Gavaskar Trophy’.

India’s current PCT of 68.06 is already much better than that of second-placed Australia (62.50), and miles ahead of third-placed Sri Lanka (55.56), fourth-ranked New Zealand (44.44) and fifth-placed England (43.06).

In a bid to secure a top-two finish, Team India needs to win each of their remaining two matches against New Zealand. The impending two matches also mark India’s final set of WTC 2023-25 fixtures at home.

India’s next Test assignment, slated to commence on November 22 in Australia, will be a five-match rubber and also their final crack at the WTC points table before the final. A series win ‘Down Under’, by any margin, will not only deprive Australia of some crucial WTC points at home but will also strengthen India’s claim at the top of the nine-team standings.

In terms of exterior results, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian troops will also be hoping that New Zealand’s upcoming three-match home series against England turns out to be a close-knit affair to create a scenario where both teams can share equal honours or go on without completely dominating the other. Even a 2-1 result for either team can work in India’s favour, as the current PCTs of both New Zealand and England currently stand below 45.

Rohit Sharma and co. will also be hoping that Sri Lanka, one of India’s closest WTC competitors at the moment, lose their upcoming Test series against South Africa and Australia.

In the meantime, Team India is gearing up to face New Zealand in the all-important second Test of their three-match series. The match will be hosted by the MCA Stadium in Pune between October 24 and October 28.