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India Face Major WTC Setback After Embarrassing Home Series Loss To New Zealand In Pune

Sakshi Sharma

Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir after defeat (Source:@abhaysingh_13/x.com)Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir after defeat (Source:@abhaysingh_13/x.com)

India suffered a significant blow after New Zealand defeated Rohit Sharma and Co by 113 runs at the recently concluded second Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune Today (October 26). This result not only cost India a valuable Test series defeat but also caused a drop in their WTC points percentage (PCT). 

India's WTC PCT has slipped from 68.06 to 62.82 after back-to-back defeats against the Black Caps. This has also left Rohit Sharma’s team with only a slight lead over Australia, who currently hold a PCT of 62.50. On the other side, New Zealand became the third team after Australia and England to defeat India on Indian soil.

IND Vs NZ: Updated Points Table

Updated Points table (Source:@ICC/screenshot)Updated Points table (Source:@ICC/screenshot)


How Can India Still Qualify After Defeat In 2nd Test? 

After this defeat, India's WTC scenario has changed with just six Tests remaining in the WTC cycle. Rohit Sharma and Co now need to win four matches to stay in contention for the top-two spot without relying on external factors. 

India's upcoming fixtures include a decisive Test against New Zealand in Mumbai on November 1, followed by five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Any further losses or more than one draw could jeopardize India’s path to the WTC final, potentially leaving their fate dependent on other teams’ results.

It is important to mention that, WTC points have become crucial as Australia is just slightly behind India, with other teams South Africa and Sri Lanka are also in the contender for qualification. 

Should India fall short in these encounters, they’ll have to depend on other series outcomes involving South Africa and New Zealand, among others, to retain a WTC final spot.

India will next face New Zealand in the third Test of the series and this match will be important for the home side to make a comeback and seize opportunity to regain momentum. As it stands, every game is crucial, and the road to the WTC final appears more challenging than ever for Rohit Sharma's side.