'I believe it will be between India, Australia and Pakistan' - Aakash Chopra predicts WTC finalists

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra analysed India’s chances of making it to the World Test Championship finals after a win in the first Test against Sri Lanka. India reached the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship finals but went on to lose it to New Zealand in a close game. Since then, India leads 2-1 in the five-match Test series in England with one more Test to go and have won the two-match Test series against New Zealand at home.

However, a 2-1 loss to South Africa has now created doubts over their qualification to the finals as there are few more Tests to be played before the finals in 2023. Meanwhile, the winners of the last World Test Championship, New Zealand has drawn their home series against Bangladesh and South Africa.

It is over for them, New Zealand won’t qualify: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra suggested that India should win all four games at home against Australia and was confident of winning in Bangladesh as well. However, he also noted that the road won’t be easy for them considering the number of games available. India still has one more Test against Sri Lanka to go in the two-match Test series.

“India need to get 100 percent points in the four-match series against Australia. You cannot draw, you have to win all four games. We’re likely to win against Sri Lanka 2-0. We have to play Bangladesh away, I’m confident we can win there. And the one one-off Test against England. We lost the series in South Africa, so it is not going to be easy,” Chopra said on his Youtube Channel.

Meanwhile, Chopra also felt that Kiwis will not be able to make it to the finals and ruled out chances for England, Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka to make it to the title clash. India is currently at the fifth position in the World Test Championship table with a win percentage of 54.16 while Australia is at the top with a 77.77 win percentage.

“They (New Zealand) have only 2 Tests remaining at home. They have drawn series against Bangladesh and South Africa. New Zealand won’t qualify. Even if they win their remaining two Tests at home against Sri Lanka, they have two Tests away against Pakistan (and 3 against England). It is over for them, they won’t qualify.”

“I am not counting England, Bangladesh, West Indies, and I won’t count New Zealand as well. I don’t think Sri Lanka have a chance at qualification. I believe it will be between three teams — Australia, India, and Pakistan. If Pakistan don’t prepare such roads, there’s a strong possibility of a Pakistan-Australia final,” he added.