After an exciting last-ball victory for New Zealand put an end to Sri Lanka’s attempt to finish in the top two, India has locked up a spot in the World Test Championship final, which will take place at The Oval on June 7.
India’s worst conceivable WTC points percentage is now 57%, providing there are no penalty points assessed due to a subpar over rate in the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad. This is due to India’s devastating start to their Test series at home against Australia.
Rain first prevented Sri Lanka from bowling out New Zealand on day five of the first Test in Christchurch, therefore even if they win the second Test, Dimuth Karunaratne’s team can now finish with a best possible WTC points percentage of 56%.
Rohit Sharma’s team was able to secure a berth in the WTC final by taking a 2-1 series lead in the first three of four Tests against Australia at home. To top it off, they are on course to win the Border-Gavaskar series outright and avoid defeat in the fourth Test.
India’s cycle campaign got underway in England, where they had a 2-1 series lead over Joe Root’s team. However, Covid forced the fifth Test to be postponed until 2022.
Even though they won convincing home series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to prepare for their run to the WTC final, they would ultimately lose the fifth Test match in Birmingham.
Their victory in the Border-Gavaskar series sets up a World Test Championship championship match versus Australia on neutral territory at The Oval in London starting on June 7.
New Zealand defeated India in the first World Test Championship final in 2021 as Kane Williamson’s team attempted to reach a target of 139 in Southampton.
