India vs Australia: How many wins does India need for the WTC?

Australia vs India: A Key Duel with Major Implications

The series between Australia and India transcends the value of an individual competition. With the final of the World Test Cricket Championship on the horizon, this clash takes on crucial importance for both teams, who are seeking to secure their place at the top. New Zealand’s recent triumph over the West Indies, with a score of 2-0, places them in third place in the championship table. If they manage to replicate this result against Pakistan, both Australia and India will have to work hard to stay above them.

India’s Path to Classification

India has played four series, accumulating 360 points and a percentage of 75%. They still have two series left in the current cycle, against Australia and England. Both series consist of four tests, with the same point allocation: 30 points for a win and 10 for a draw. If New Zealand scores all possible points against Pakistan, their total will amount to 420, with a percentage of 70%. To secure their position above New Zealand, India must surpass this 70%. To achieve this, India needs at least 150 points out of the 240 available in these two series. This can be achieved in two ways: by winning five matches or by winning four and drawing three.

With their strong home record, India has a good chance of getting the maximum points against England. This means they will need at least one win or three draws in the four tests in Australia to reach the 150 points needed.

For example, if India loses against Australia by a margin of 1-2, they will need 110 points in the series against England. To reach those 110 points, the only option is to win all four matches, since a victory grants 30 points and a draw 10.

Australia’s Situation in the Race

Australia has played three series, scoring 296 points and a percentage of 82.22%. To exceed 70% of the points, they need to reach more than 420 points, assuming the series against South Africa is played. In case the series against South Africa is canceled, their goal will be to exceed 336 points. Given that the series against South Africa is expected to consist of three tests, a win will award 40 points and a draw 13.

Despite injury problems, Australia remains in a favorable position, thanks to the accumulated points. If the series against India ends 2-2, Australia will add 356 points, with a percentage of 74.17%. From there, even a 1-0 series against South Africa would propel them to 422 points, surpassing New Zealand. If they lose 1-2 against India, Australia will need to win the series 2-0 against South Africa to stay above 70%.