India cricket team’s prospects of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the third consecutive time just took a hit. New Zealand outclassed India in their own backyard yet again to clinch the IND vs NZ series 2-0. With this loss, India are left in a do or die situation in order to punch a ticket to Lord’s in 2025 and have just six games under their belt.
WTC final scenarios after IND vs NZ series defeat
- India will slip to the second spot on the WTC standings if the series ends 2-0 and the third game ending in a draw, or even if India win the 3rd Test
- India will need to win five out of six remaining Tests in order to reach the WTC final
- A series loss in IND vs AUS series or a draw would dent India’s prospects of qualifying for the final
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New Zealand trouble not yet over!
India still has one more match to play against New Zealand and it will be played just a few hundred kilometers away from where they were handed a red-faced defeat in the 2nd Test. Already 2-0 down, the hosts are in deep trouble and will be eyeing redemption against the Kiwis who have surprised India at every turn in the first two Tests. A 3-0 series defeat could only impact India’s chances of making it to the WTC final further.
The great IND vs AUS challenge
Should India have won the series against New Zealand or even managed a draw, then the IND vs AUS series wouldn’t be a big headache for Rohit Sharma and co. Touted as the biggest rivalry, India must now win most of the Tests in the five-match Test series that begins from November 22. Australia will find themselves with the upper hand just ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if they replace India at the top of the standings. A draw or a series loss will the beginning of the end of India’s WTC 2024-25 final chances.
Other teams in fray
India’s fortunes will also be decided by the performance of other teams. Sides like South Africa and Sri Lanka, who are also in contention for a spot in the WTC final, will be playing majority of the remainder of Test fixtures in home. This gives the teams an edge over India, should the Men in Blue lose or draw the series against Australia.
India’s upcoming fixtures
IND vs NZ
IND vs NZ 3rd Test – Nov 1-5 – Mumbai
Border-Gavaskar Trophy schedule
| Match | Dates | Teams | Time (Your Time) | Venue |
| 1st Test | 22-26 November 2024 | Australia Men vs India Men | 07:50 | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| 2nd Test | 6-10 December 2024 | Australia Men vs India Men | 09:30 | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| 3rd Test | 14-18 December 2024 | Australia Men vs India Men | 05:50 | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| 4th Test | 26-30 December 2024 | Australia Men vs India Men | 05:00 | MCG, Melbourne |
| 5th Test | 3-7 January 2025 | Australia Men vs India Men | 05:00 | SCG, Sydney |
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