India inch closer to World Test Championship final berth after emphatic win over Australia in second Test

Team India is close to booking its spot in the ICC World Test Championship final after an emphatic win over Australia. India beat Australia by six wickets in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, February 19. With this win, India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The second Test also recorded India’s 100th victory over Australia in all formats of international men's cricket.

Winning the second Test in the BGT, India’s points percentage climbed from 61.66 to 64.06. This was India’s 10th victory in 16 matches in the 2021-23 WTC cycle. India, who lost four and drew two matches, are standing second in the table with 123 points. Meanwhile, table-topper Australia saw its points percentage diminish from 70.83 PCT to 66.67.

India have improved their win percentage but their place in the WTC final is still not locked. The reason is that India can still be overtaken by Sri Lanka and thus results may go against them. To reach the final India have to win one of the remaining Tests of the BGT 2023. However, South Africa, who are currently fourth, were ruled out of reaching the final following India's victory. Moreover, Australia will probably reach the final but they are not quite over the line yet.

India beat Australia in the second Test of the BGT by six wickets in Delhi. The tourists posted 263 in their first innings, while India came a run shy with 262 in reply. In the second innings, Australia were bundled out for 113. Chasing 115, India lost a wicket early, albeit, continued their clinical batting display to gain an unassailable lead (2-0)  in the four-match series. The third and fourth Tests will be played at Indore and Ahmedabad respectively.

The 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship is the second edition that started on August 4, 2021 and will be finished in June 2023. The final is scheduled to be played from June 7 to 11 at The Oval, London. The tournament is being played over two years, with 69 matches over 27 series, in which the top two teams will advance to the final. 

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