Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team's chances to qualify for the World Test Championship Final have taken a massive hit following the 184-run loss in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test which was being played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, on December 30 (Monday). Australia are in a position where they don't have to be dependent on anyone to seal a spot in the WTC Final next to South Africa.
SA seal spot in WTC Final
With seven victories from 11 games and a 66.67% point percentage, South Africa is comfortably atop the WTC rankings. Australia, India, and Sri Lanka are now vying for the final slot. Aussies are currently the frontrunners for that one remaining spot and only need one more win in their next three games to book their ticket to Lords.
On the other hand, India is highly dependent on the result of the Sydney Test and the result of the two matches between Australia and Sri Lanka. Their recent run in red-ball cricket, be it the whitewash against New Zealand or the current performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has brought them down from being the top contender to almost out of the final.
India's qualification chances
For India to remain in the running for the WTC final, they must win in Sydney. If Australia were to get only one draw in Sri Lanka, a victory would move India up to 55.26, which would be sufficient for them to finish second. In that scenario, Sri Lanka would finish with 48.72 (winning 1-0) while Australia would fall to 53.51.
India will fall to 51.75 and be eliminated from the WTC final race, though, if they only manage a draw. This is because Sri Lanka would reach 53.85 and Australia would finish at 53.51 even if they lost both Test matches in Sri Lanka after drawing in Sydney.