India vs Australia: WTC Keys and the Road to the Final

Australia vs India: A Crucial Duel with Major Implications

The series between Australia and India, by itself, is a major event. However, with the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the horizon in June, both teams have a lot at stake in terms of their rankings. New Zealand’s recent 2-0 victory against the West Indies moves them up to third place in the championship table. If they repeat that feat against Pakistan, both Australia and India will have to work hard to stay above them.

India’s Outlook

India has played 4 series, accumulating 360 points with a points percentage of 75%. India has two series remaining in the current cycle, against Australia and England. Both are four-Test series, which means the points allocation is the same: 30 points for a win and 10 for a draw. If New Zealand gets all the points from their series against Pakistan, their count will rise to 420, with a percentage of 70%. This means that India needs to exceed 70% to stay ahead of New Zealand.

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.

Given India’s impressive home record, they will have a good chance of getting all the points against England; this means they will need at least one win, or three draws, in the four tests in Australia to reach that target of 150 points.

For example, if India loses against Australia by a margin of 1-2, they will need 110 points from the series against England. Since a win will grant 30 points and a draw 10, the only way they can reach 110 is if they win all four matches.

Situation in Australia

Australia has played 3 series, with 296 points and a percentage of 82.22%. Australia needs to surpass 420 points to have a percentage greater than 70%, if the series against South Africa takes place. If that series is canceled, their goal will be to exceed 336 points. Given that the series against South Africa is expected to be three tests, there will be 40 points at stake for a win and 13 for a draw.

Despite numerous injury concerns, Australia is still in a strong position, thanks to the number of points it has already accumulated. If the series against India ends 2-2, Australia will have 356 points and a percentage of 74.17%. From there, even a 1-0 series against South Africa will boost them to 422 points, and just beyond New Zealand’s reach. If they lose 1-2 against India, Australia will need a 2-0 victory against South Africa to stay above 70%.