India was handed a loss in the opening game of the IND vs NZ 1st Test at Bengaluru. And with this loss, India’s chances of finishing at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) Finals have taken a slight hit. Though India remain at the top of the standings, but Australia are now breathing down heavily on their neck.
As for Rohit Sharma and Co, the task will be to win the Test series against the Kiwis at cost. With the Bengaluru Test done and dusted, the focus now shifts to the second Test which will be held at Pune from 24th October. India can’t afford to lose this Test series.
The chips are obviously down, but Team India is known to make splendid comebacks. Most recently it happened earlier this year in January when the hosts went down to England in the Hyderabad. But then India came back strongly to secure the series with a 4-1 win.
As things stand, If India lose this series 2-0, then India will drop to the second spot in the WTC Standings. On the other hand, if India manages to make it 1-1 or even a 2-1 loss, then they would retain the top spot.
WTC Scenarios during IND vs NZ Test series
- 1. If India Wins both the remaining Test matches, then India will win the series 2-1 and retain the stop spot of the WTC Standings.
- 2. If the series ends in a 1-0 loss or even a 1-1 result, with 1 Test match ending in a draw. Then also the odds will be in favour of the hosts and India will continue to remain on top of the WTC Standings.
- 3. If India loses 3-0 or 2-0 with the other Test as a draw then India will drop to the second spot of the WTC Standings. In such a case, Australia will go on to take top spot of the standings.
