Day 1 of play in the IND vs NZ 1st Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru has been washed out due to incessant rain. And the forecast for the remainder of the days of the contest is not any brighter, with high chances of precipitation for the rest of the week. Will the 1st Test being washed out impact India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final? Let’s take a look at what is at stake.
How will India’s WTC final chance be impacted if IND vs NZ 1st Test is drawn?
Rohit Sharma and co. are eyeing to seal their berth in the third consecutive WTC final. India need three more wins and one draw at least from the remainder of their Test season in order to punch a ticket to Lord’s next year. With a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh, India are now left with 8 Tests to achieve the feat. Should the IND vs NZ 1st Test in Benglauru get washed out, then it will be imperative for India to ensure that they at least manage to secure one victory in the ongoing series.
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT |
| 1. | India | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 98 | 74.24 |
| 2. | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 90 | 62.50 |
| 3. | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 60 | 55.56 |
| 4. | England | 17 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 93 | 45.59 |
*Despite winning 9 Tests, England have been docked off 19 points and hence have ony 60 to their name.
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As far as the WTC standings are concerned, India are currently on top followed by Australia, Sri Lanka and England. While England are currently playing Pakistan in a three-Test series, Sri Lanka recently completed a comprehensive 2-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home. The results of the PAK vs ENG series could very well boost England’s chances of moving up in the standings, but poses no risk to India immediately.
Similarly, Sri Lanka do not pose a direct threat to India as they have only two Tests left in the present cycle. The side will take on South Africa in a two-Test affair in late November. India’s best chance of cemeting their spot at the top of the WTC standings will be emerge victorious in the series against New Zealand and Australia.
India’s Test schedule
New Zealand’s Tour of India Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | October 16 – October 20 | Bengaluru |
| 2nd Test | October 24 – October 28 | Pune |
| 3rd Test | November 1 – November 5 |
Border-Gavaskar Trophy Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 22 – November 26 | Perth |
| 2nd Test | December 6 – December 10 | Adelaide |
| 3rd Test | December 14 – December 18 | Brisbane |
| 4th Test | December 26 – December 30 | Melbourne |
| 5th Test | January 3 – January 7 |
