The first Test of the series between India and New Zealand, scheduled in Bengaluru, was completely washed out on the first day due to rain. Not a single ball was bowled, and the toss didn’t happen. With forecasts showing rain for all five days, fans are worried if India’s chances for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final could be in jeopardy. Let’s break it down.
What Happens If the Bengaluru Test Is Washed Out?
Even if the entire match is washed out, India won’t be immediately knocked out of the race for the WTC final. However, the road might become trickier. India currently tops the WTC points table with a win percentage of 74.24%, while Australia is second with 62.50%.
The WTC Final Equation for India
After the Bengaluru Test, India still has 7 matches left in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. To secure a spot in the final, India would need to win at least 3 of these matches. Winning 4 games would almost guarantee their place in the final. If India wins only 3, they might have to rely on other teams’ results to make it through.
India’s remaining matches are against New Zealand and Australia. After this series with New Zealand, they will play a 5-match series against Australia at home.
How WTC Points Are Calculated
This is the third cycle of the World Test Championship (2023-25). The point system is as follows:
- 12 points for a win
- 6 points for a tie
- 4 points for a draw
- Teams are ranked based on the percentage of points won.
- Points are deducted for slow over rates.
A team’s win percentage is the key factor for ranking in the WTC table. For a two-match series, a team can earn up to 24 points, while a five-match series offers 60 points. The top two teams in the WTC points table will qualify for the final, set to be held at Lord’s in 2025.
So, even if rain disrupts the Bengaluru Test, India still has a strong chance to make it to the WTC final, but they’ll need a few more wins along the way.
