India face uphill task to reach WTC final

As the race for securing the slots in the World Test Championship final next year heats up Rohit Sharmas India find itself in an unenviable position placed fourth on the table and needing to really give it their all in order to secure one of the two spots in the finalOn Tuesday the International Cricket Council ICC gave a lowdown on what all the Testplaying nations need to do to secure a WTC final spot and India seem to be staring at an uphill task Winning just four of their first nine matches in the cycle losing three points due to over rate infringements and watching Virat Kohli hand in his resignation Indias start to WTC23 has left a lot to be desiredThe side got their campaign back on track with a clean sweep of Sri Lanka and there is hope the side can make a late charge with favourites tags in their final six matches They are currently on 5208 per cent of possible pointsIndia are the runnersup from the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship in 2021 having lost the final to New Zealand in EnglandRohit Sharmas side should be too strong for neighbours Bangladesh even away from home and history is on their side when Australia visit early next year for a fourmatch Border Gavaskar series Should they manage maximum points the scenario of a mouthwatering IndiaPakistan WTC final is a strong possibilityMeanwhile South Africa following solid performances against India and Bangladesh are right at the top of WTC standingsHeres ICCs assessment of the nine Testplaying nations chances of securing WTC final berths1 South Africa 7143 per cent of possible points Remaining series England away three Tests West Indies home two Tests Australia away three TestsWhat they have to do Tough away series to England and Australia stare South Africa in the face though the side have the firepower to push both providing their batting can match their bowling attack Coming from behind to claim a famous series victory over India at home shows a resilient side to Dean Elgars team2 Australia 70 per cent of possible points Remaining series West Indies home two Tests South Africa home three Tests India away four TestsWhat they have to do Put home points in the bank Narrowly missing out on a chance of playing the first WTC final Pat Cummins team look in no mood to give up easy points Making the most of the home advantage early on and claiming Test wins away from home in Pakistan and Sri Lanka the side welcome West Indies and South Africa at home for a total of five Tests Australias biggest hurdle to the final though remains India Facing Rohit Sharmas side in the subcontinent for four Tests next year in a place they havent won at since 2004 the Australians will likely need to avoid defeat on multiple occasions to finish above their opponents on the table Five home wins and four away defeats take the Aussies to 6316 per cent a finishing percentage not good enough to hold off India assuming Rohits side sweep Bangladesh beforehand3 Sri Lanka 5333 per cent of possible points Remaining series New Zealand away two TestsWhat they have to do Surprise New Zealand and hope other series go their way Had Sri Lanka gone unbeaten at home to Australia and Pakistan the conversation of their chances of a WTC23 final appearance would have been more positive Instead inconsistent performances at home and little time to make a charge make their chances slim at best and Dimuth Karunaratnes side will be ruing missed opportunities Just one series remains for Sri Lanka a twoTest trip to New Zealand where they have won just two Test matches in 19 attempts Maximum points in New Zealand would take them to 611 per cent meaning theyll need help from the unfancied sides further down the table to shake up the competition4 India 5208 per cent of possible points5 Pakistan 5185 per cent of possible points Remaining series England home three Tests New Zealand home two TestsWhat they have to do At their best Pakistan are at the very least a topthree WTC team though a couple of slips may prevent Babar Azams side from a historic final appearance A onewicket defeat to the West Indies in their opening series may come back to bite the side who were unable to hold out a strong Australia in what was the first series between the sides in Pakistan since 1998 Its not too late though with their remaining five Test matches all at home against sides from outside the region Five victories would take them to 6905 per cent a percentage close to guaranteeing a final spot given Australia and South Africa take on each otherAlso Read BAN vs ZIM Mosaddek Hossain to lead Mahmudullah recalled for series decider6 West Indies 50 per cent of possible points Remaining series South Africa away two Tests Australia away two TestsWhat they have to do Make runs and make history away from home The West Indies can finish on 6538 per cent though would have to win all four matches in tough away conditions to seal an unlikely place in the WTC23 final7 England 3333 per cent of possible points Remaining series South Africa home three Tests Pakistan away three TestsWhat they have to do Prepare for the next cycle While the side looks a different proposition with a new coach and captain its too late for England to mount a challenge for a spot in the final Losing seven of 16 Tests and deducted the equivalent of one win for multiple over rate infringements the side will be watching the final from home8 New Zealand 2593 per cent of possible points Remaining series Pakistan away two Tests Sri Lanka home two TestsWhat they have to do The defending World Test champions can only finish with a best percentage of 4872 per cent well short of whats needed to feature in next years final9 Bangladesh 1333 per cent of possible points Remaining series India home two TestsWhat they have to do Out of the race prepare for the next cycle The side have not won a Test match at home in the competition thus far though did surprise New Zealand in Mount MaunganuiThis story has been sourced from a third 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