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India rely on Pakistan for their WTC Final qualification (File Photo: X)
The hopes of Team India’s qualification to the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 are getting quite a bit faded after some recent setbacks in against Australia in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Rohit Sharma’s men lost to the Aussies by a massive 10-wicket margin in the Pink-ball Test in Adelaide in the BGT 2024-25 followed by a rain-inflicted draw in the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Meanwhile, the scenario for India’s qualification to the final of the current WTC cycle of 2023-25 is getting quite complicated. In a surprising turnaround of events, India might also need the help of their arch-rivals Pakistan to secure a berth in the tournament’s summit clash, happening next year in June at the Lord’s.
Here’s how Pakistan can help India to qualify for WTC final
Currently, India are left with two remaining Tests in the ongoing five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy. Both the Tests are the must-win and all-important clashes for the Indian team to strengthen their chances of playing the WTC final. If the series ends with a 2-2 scoreline, India will rely on Sri Lanka to beat Australia by a 1-0 margin in the upcoming two-match Test series.
On the other hand, India are also dependent on the arch-rivals Pakistan in case of getting the Australia series equalled at 2-2. If Pakistan beats South Africa in their upcoming two-match Test series, it will clear the way for India’s qualification to the WTC final for the third consecutive time since the tournament’s inception.
India are currently placed in the third spot in the World Test Championship; they are currently struggling to get back to either of the top two spots to qualify for the WTC final. Though Pakistan have no chance of playing in the WTC final at all, they can still play a pivotal role in deciding the fate of their arch-rivals, India and their qualification to the title clash of the tournament.
Notably, India made it to the finals of the WTC in the last two editions in 2021 and 2023 but they ended up losing against New Zealand and Australia, being the runners-up.