WTC Final RACE: IND vs AUS Test Series – India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has given thumbs down to India’s chance to enter World Test Championship (WTC) Final. India is currently second on the WTC points table with 99 points out of 168 and an aggregate of 58.93 per cent. Despite being in a good position, Karthik is of view that India’s WTC final qualification chances looks gloomy. India can qualify for the WTC Finals if they beat Australia in the Test series at home at least 2-0 in February-March. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
WTC Final RACE: Dinesh Karthik THUMBS DOWN India’s chance to enter WTC Final, says ‘looks very difficult’: Check OUT
Dinesh Karthik on India’s chances of qualifying for WTC finals
Following their test series win against Bangladesh last month, Team India has strengthened their chances of qualifying for the WTC Final. India will be hosting Australia in a four-match Test series.
“I think it is going to be a hard one. I really think it is going to be an uphill task for India. To win three out of four Tests is never easy. That would mean playing to our strengths and assuming that Australia’s weakness against spin will come through. But we have also not played off spin very well so it is a catch 22 situation for India,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.
Karthik was also of the opinion that India should bank on the three spinner to pick up wickets. He also said that Indian batsman need to step while naming one player who he would prefer to have in the team. The 37-year-old said, “For the moment, we should bank on the fact that we have three quality spinners who on turning tracks will be a handful to deal with. On a turning track, I would bank on Axar Patel lot more because of his height and natural variations he has got. But the Indian batters have to step up,”.
Dinesh Karthik advises Team India to be wary of Nathan Lyon
The Rohit Sharma led team need to win the atleast by 3-0 or 3-1 margin to confirm their place in the WTC final for the second straight time. Karthik said that India have the advantage in the bowling department however he also warned Team India about Nathan Lyon . He is of the opinion that the off spinner will be Team India’s biggest threat during the series. “They have to find a way to tackle off spin. Good thing is that Australia have just one spinner that they bank on. Whoever is the second spinner, whether it be Ashton Agar or Adam Zampa can be targetted.”
India’s qualification scenario for World Test Championship
The four match Test series against Australia provides India with chance to confirm their place in WTC Final for second successive season. However South Africa are also gunning for a place in the final. By winning the final Test against Australia, the proteas will keep their qualification hopes for the final alive. After Australia series, South Africa will face already eliminated West Indies.
If South Africa wins the final Test and then clean sweeps West Indies in the two-match series at home They will need Australia’s help to dethrone India from Top 2. India will hope that Australia beat South Africa in the final Test. Victory will dash South Africa hopes of qualifying for WTC finals. If the Proteas lose their last Test to Australia, then India needs to ensure they win the series against Australia 3-0 or even by a 3-1 margin.
WTC Final RACE: Dinesh Karthik THUMBS DOWN India’s chance to enter WTC Final, says ‘looks very difficult’: Check OUT
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