Explained: How India Can Still Qualify For The WTC 2025 Final After Defeat To Australia

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WTC 2025 Final: The Indian cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Australian cricket team during the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne. The Men in Blue gave it all on the final day of the game but still kept losing the wickets at regular intervals in the last session to eventually lose the game to Australia.

After this defeat, the road to the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final has become even tougher, although the team is still not out of the race yet. The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, still has a small chance of qualifying if things go their way.

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India’s WTC 2025 Final qualification scenario after loss in Boxing Day Test

Since India lost the Melbourne Test, their chances of qualifying for the WTC final are now uncertain. They no longer control their own fate and will need some results to go their way to make it to the final in June next year.

To keep their hopes alive, India must win the fifth Test in Sydney, which will be their last match of this WTC cycle. If they win, they will finish with a points percentage of 55.26.

In addition to winning the Sydney Test, India will also be closely watching Australia’s upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. If Australia loses 0-2 to Sri Lanka, their point percentage will drop to 54.26, which is lower than India’s.

In this scenario, India will qualify for the final, where they will face South Africa. South Africa has already secured their spot in the final after their exciting win over Pakistan in the first Test.

However, if India loses their next match against Australia, they will be eliminated, and the final will be between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s in London.

How Can The Australian Cricket Team Qualify For The WTC 2025 Final?

Australia has three matches left in the current WTC cycle: one against India at home and two against Sri Lanka away. Even if they draw one of these games, their point percentage will rise to 56.48, and they will qualify for the final.

Australia is also the defending champion of the World Test Championship, having beaten India in the 2023 final. They have performed well in this cycle and are in a strong position to qualify for the final.

While the qualification situation seems clear, things could change if either Australia or India gets a penalty for a slow over-rate after the Boxing Day Test.

IND vs AUS: India lost seven wickets in the final session

India’s poor performance continued in the ongoing series against Australia, as they lost seven wickets in the final session. The batting has been disappointing, and their form didn’t improve in this match either.

The game looked like it might end in a draw at tea, with Australia needing seven wickets to win and Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal batting well. However, once Pant was out, Australia took control and quickly dismissed the remaining batsmen with strong, persistent bowling.

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