WTC Final Qualification Scenario - How India can qualify from Ahmedabad Test

Team India is one win away from booking their spot in the final, and a win in the ongoing Ahmedabad Test can see them through.

India will finish second in the WTC 2021-23 points table with a 62.5 points percentage (PCT). It will be enough to see them through, as Sri Lanka can only achieve a maximum of 61.11 PCT in their ongoing two-match Test series against inaugural champions New Zealand. 

However, the hosts are in a testing situation, as Usman Khawaja (180) and Cameron Green (114) guided Australia to a massive total of 480 runs in the first innings after opting to bat. Team India, meanwhile, was at 36 for no loss when umpires called for stumps on Day 2. 

The hosts will have to show batting resilience in the first innings and then return stronger with the ball to dismantle Australia early in order to have a chance to win the game. 

At this point, the Ahmedabad Test looks evenly poised. So can Team India qualify for the WTC final to be held in June, if the series ends level at 2-2? 

Team India (60.20) and Sri Lanka (53.33) are placed second and third, respectively, in the WTC 2021-23 points table due to their respective points percentages. 

The Rohit Sharma-led side will remain in contention of qualifying for the WTC final for the second time on the trot if they draw or lose the Ahmedabad Test, depending upon Sri Lanka's results. 

In case, Sri Lanka clean sweep the Test series 2-0 against New Zealand, then they will topple Team India to qualify for the final at the second spot. But it is important to note that if Sri Lanka lose any of their two games then the road will be clear for Team India to qualify for the final even after a loss or draw in the Ahmedabad Test. 

Unfortunately for India, Sri Lanka dominated the first two days of the Christchurch Test against New Zealand. Asked to bat, Kusal Mendis (87) and captain Dimuth Karunaratne (50) played brilliant knocks to guide their side to 335 runs in the first innings. 

In response, New Zealand lost half their side for 162 runs at stumps on Day 2. Medium pacers Lahiru Kumara and Ashita Fernando scalped two wickets each to keep the visitors in a strong position. 

However, as it stands, there will be a new champion emerging in the WTC as defending champions New Zealand are already out of the race and finished at the ninth spot in the ongoing cycle.