The third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Brisbane has seen countless rain delays. Players come in and go out at regular intervals, with a full session of play hardly enjoyed without any interruptions by fans. The opening day was entirely washed out after less than 15 overs of play, causing Cricket Australia a huge financial loss. But why would Team India love a complete washout of the third BGT Test? The answer is simple: for a better chance at the World Test Championship (WTC) final spot.
How would rain help Team India?
Australia have been utterly commanding in the ongoing third Test at the Gabba. They look to avenge their BGT 2020/21 loss here after Steve Smith and Travis Head hammered centuries in the first innings. Despite Jasprit Bumrah taking a 6-fer, Australia piled up a huge 445-run total. On a deck that had extra bounce and pace, Indian batters crumbled. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out on four, Shubman Gill threw his wicket away, and so did Virat Kohli. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma also looked clueless. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja saved the grace somehow.
Australia have dominated this so much so that India find it hard to even go past the follow-on score (225) off Australia. This simple means that if we see no major loss of overs on Day 4 and Day 5, the Pat Cummins-led side would feel confidence of winning this game. Hence, rain could easily be India’s saving grace. We have already lost 100+ overs in this game, meaning India might have been in a much worse position had rain gods didn’t help.
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WTC Final advantage for India if 3rd BGT Test ends in a draw
India, currently at third position on the WTC 2023/25 table, have 110 points at a percentage of 57.29. Australia, meanwhile, have accumulated 102 points thus far at 60.71. If the Gabba Test ends in a draw, the points would be 58.89 (AUS) and 55.88 (IND). Hence, India’s fate to qualify for the WTC final would still remain with them.
Provided India win the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney and this game ends in a draw, India qualifies irrespective of other results. Australia play two away Tests against Sri Lanka next year. However, if India win just one of the two remaining matches and the other ends in a draw (resulting in a 2-1 series win), their qualification will depend on other results: Sri Lanka vs Australia: Sri Lanka must win at least one Test in their two-match series against Australia (January-February).
Latest WTC points table 2023-25
| Rank | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Penalties | Points | % Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 76 | 63.33 |
| 2 | Australia | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 102 | 60.71 |
| 3 | India | 16 | 9 | 1 | 6 | -2 | 110 | 57.29 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | -3 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 1 | 10 | -22 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -8 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
How can India qualify for the WTC Final?
For India to qualify directly, they must win the series by a 4-1 or 3-1 margin. If India lose the Gabba Test but win the remaining two matches, they will need external help, such as a drawn Test between Australia and Sri Lanka from their 2-game Test series in the subcontinent.
A 2-2 series draw at BGT would complicate matters for India. They would require Sri Lanka to win their series against Australia. If Australia wins the series 3-2, India would need South Africa to lose both Tests against Pakistan and hope for one drawn game between Sri Lanka and Australia. A 4-1 or 3-1 series win for Australia would end India’s WTC final hopes altogether. In that case, South Africa and Australia would compete for the ultimate Test title at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, starting on June 7, 2025.
