Here is how India can qualify for the final of the World Test Championship

Back in August 2019, India started their journey in the World Test Championship with the two-match series against the West Indies. They began with a 2-0 victory in the series where Jasprit Bumrah became the third Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan to pick up a Test hat-trick. Virat Kohli’s men then returned home and thrashed South Africa and Bangladesh.

But their challenge started from the tour of New Zealand. Skipper Virat, who was in riveting form earlier, had a slump in form and India lost the two-match series 0-2. Recently, India slumped to their third defeat in the WTC, losing to Australia in the Day-Night Test at the Adelaide Oval. The visitors were restricted for a mere 36 in the second innings and they received a lot of criticism.

However, the eight-wicket victory in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground got them back on track. India, under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership, are currently busy playing in the third Test of the four-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Going ahead into the WTC, India have quite some work to do if they have to qualify for the final.

How many wins do India need?

At the present point in time, India have 390 points in their kitty in the Test Championship table. For the time being, they have six Tests left, including the ongoing SCG Test. India are having 72.2 per cent of points from their previous matches. In their remaining matches, they need to win at least four Tests in a cluster or win three and draw the other three matches.

After the ongoing Test series against the Aussies, India are scheduled to play four Tests against England at home. Going by the new rules, the teams with the highest win percentage qualify for the final and not the ones with most points. India had a dominating run in their home campaign last year and they will be looking to show the same dominance against England as well.

The Black Caps, recently, thrashed Pakistan and West Indies at home and are, well and truly, in contention to become one of the finalists. The Aussies and the Three Lions are also vying for a place in the final of the championship.