Here is how India can qualify for World Test Championship final

The inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship is all set for a thrilling finish as a clean-sweep by England against Sri Lanka has intensified the fight between India, Australia, New Zealand, and England for the first two spots. The final will be played from June 18 to June 22 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in England.

England registered a stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series by 2-0. This resulted in them gaining 68.7 percentage points and 412 points. England is now just 0.5 percent away from Australia which is sitting in third place with 69.2 percentage and 332 points from the four-Test series.

The top spot is occupied by 71.7%, having bagged 430 points from the five series that they have played in the World Test Championship cycle of 2019-2021 followed by New Zealand in second place with 70 percentage and 420 points.

Giving an update on the points table of the World Test Championship, the International Cricket Council tweeted, “With a 2-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka, England are now only 0.5 percentage points behind Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.”

Here’s the updated WTC Points Table

South Africa and Pakistan are out of the race to final of WTC

The four-match Test series between England and India, starting from February 5 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will play a major role in deciding the finalist of the WTC. India needs to win the series by 4-0, 3-0, 3-1, or 2-0 against England, whereas a 0-3 or 0-4 loss will wipe away their chances of making the final regardless of other results.

For Australia, things are pretty simple as they have to avoid a loss against South Africa in the three-match Test series and need to win at least two games to book a berth in the final. New Zealand, on the other hand, don’t have any series scheduled before the WTC and their chances will mainly rely on how England and Australia perform.

As far as other teams like South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Bangladesh are concerned, they cannot reach the final even if they win all their remaining fixtures.