South Africa’s defeat to Australia in the second Test at Melbourne has provided a fillip to India’s chances of qualifying for its second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The Proteas have slipped to the fourth spot with a PCT (percentage of points won) of 50 while Australia has consolidated its top spot with a PCT of 78.57. Meanwhile, India has risen to the second spot following its 2-0 series win against Bangladesh and is comfortable with a PCT of 58.93.
AUSTRALIA QUALIFICATION SCENARIO
Australia has five Tests remaining (one vs South Africa and four vs India). It can take its PCT to a maximum of 84.21 if it wins all of its five remaining matches. The Pat Cummins-led side is in such a strong position that even if it loses the four-match series against India 0-1 after beating South Africa in the third and final Test, it will top the standings with a PCT of 68.42. A 0-2 defeat against India will still hold Australia in good stead for making it to the finals with a PCT of 66.66.
INDIA QUALIFICATION SCENARIO
With four home Tests left against Australia, India can take its PCT tally to as much as 68.05. Even a 3-1 win against Australia will be enough as it will have a PCT of 62.5, higher than what South Africa and Sri Lanka can manage even if they win all their games. A 2-2 draw would also work for India (PCT 56.94), as South Africa would need to beat Australia in the third Test and sweep West Indies 2-0 at home (PCT 60.00) to upstage India. Sri Lanka would require a 2-0 win against New Zealand away to go past both South Africa and India with a PCT of 61.11.
WHAT ABOUT OTHER TEAMS
England has ended its campaign with a PCT of 46.97 and despite its recent resurgence in the longest format, it is out of the race for a spot in the WTC final for all practical purposes. West Indies can only manage to take its PCT to a maximum of 50.00, which will hardly be enough for it to secure a top-two spot. Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh are mathematically eliminated from the race to the WTC finals.
World Test Championship 2021-23 Points Table
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT |
| Australia | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 132 | 78.57 |
| India | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 99 | 58.93 |
| Sri Lanka | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 64 | 53.33 |
| South Africa | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 50.00 |
| England | 22 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 124 | 46.97 |
| West Indies | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 54 | 40.91 |
| Pakistan | 13 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 60 | 38.46 |
| New Zealand | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 32 | 26.67 |
| Bangladesh | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 11.11 |
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