Fresh off winning the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, India are facing Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series. The Shubman Gill-led Indian side are set to face a steep challenge against spin once again, a facet of the game that has been their kryptonite over the past two years.
India are set to return to the World Test Championship fold once again, for the first time since their 2025 debacle against South Africa, where they were run over by Temba Bavuma’s world champions.
Since the middle of 2024, India have won only one Test series in the WTC calendar, against the West Indies. India have lost to New Zealand and South Africa at home, to Australia away, and drawn against England in England, in a dramatic final-day turnaround.
The steady decline means that the two-time WTC finalists have slipped to fifth place in the points table, with four wins, four losses and one draw from nine Tests. There is no doubt that, with just 48.15 percentage points, India’s chances of qualifying for the final hang by a thread.
INDIA’S REMAINING WTC FIXTURES
India have nine Test matches left in this WTC cycle. They play two against Sri Lanka in August, two against New Zealand in November and then five against Australia at home in January and February 2027.
India simply cannot afford a slip-up and have to win at least seven of these nine Test matches to put themselves above 60 percentage points.
Australia, South Africa and New Zealand currently lead the WTC table, all with more than 70 percentage points.
CAN INDIA QUALIFY FOR WTC FINAL?
India’s form at home and away has been worrisome over the last couple of seasons. While it has been a while since India lost a series in Sri Lanka, the team’s recent record against spin suggests that India might have to play out of their skin to win both matches in the Island nation.
Even if India win both Tests in New Zealand, they will have to make sure that they do not fumble against Australia at home, which will be a difficult task if Australia are able to arrive with a full-strength squad.
WHO CAN MAKE IT TO THE WTC FINAL?
The 2023 champions and 2025 finalists Australia have the best chance. They have played eight Tests and won seven, and have 14 more Tests to play in this cycle. They have a packed calendar, with Bangladesh and New Zealand at home, and South Africa and India away.
The Proteas are placed well in the table as well. They have a full season against Australia, Bangladesh and England at home, and only have to play Sri Lanka away.
India have to play out of their skin and will need other results to go their way if they are to make it to the final this season.
– Ends
