India’s aspirations of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final took a significant hit after they suffered a crushing 184-run defeat against Australia in the fourth Test at Melbourne on Monday. The loss has handed Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, leaving India with only one game left to play in Sydney.
With the defeat, India’s position in the WTC standings has slipped to third, with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 55.89. Australia, on the other hand, has moved into second place with a PCT of 58.89, putting them in a stronger position heading into the final stages of the series.
India’s Road to the WTC Final
For India to have a chance of qualifying for the WTC Final, they now need to win the final Test against Australia in Sydney. But even with a victory, India’s fate will be in the hands of the Sri Lankan team, who will need to deny Australia any victories in their upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka.
South Africa Secures Their WTC Final Spot
Meanwhile, South Africa has already secured their place in the WTC Final after defeating Pakistan on Sunday, adding further pressure on both India and Australia as they battle for the second spot in the final.
Australia’s Dominance in the Fourth Test
Australia’s comprehensive victory in the fourth Test was built on their strong all-round performance. Chasing a challenging 340-run target, India were bowled out for just 155 in 79.1 overs on Day 5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (84 off 208) fought valiantly for India, scoring his second half-century of the match, while Rishabh Pant (30 off 104) played a vital role in resisting the Australian attack during the second session.
However, the loss of Pant’s wicket triggered a collapse, and Australia capitalized on the opening. Australian captain Pat Cummins was the standout bowler, taking three crucial wickets in a relentless spell of fast bowling.
In the first innings, Australia’s tail managed to wag, with the team being bowled out for 234. India’s ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah (5/57), put in a stellar performance with the ball, picking up a five-wicket haul, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the defeat.
Current WTC Standings:
- Australia: 58.89 PCT (2nd place)
- India: 55.89 PCT (3rd place)
India’s hopes now hinge on a win in Sydney and a bit of luck with Sri Lanka’s performance against Australia. The final Test of the series promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams having everything to play for.