How does India's loss to New Zealand in Bengaluru affect their chances of making the World Test Championship final?
In a rain-hit encounter, India eventually ended up on the losing side against New Zealand in Bengaluru. They were bowled out for 46 on the morning of day two, before conceding a 356-run lead built on the back of Rachin Ravindra's 134.
To their credit, India fought hard in the third innings, but slid from 408-3 to 462 all out, setting New Zealand a victory target of 107 on the final day. Sarfaraz Khan was the star of the show, scoring his maiden Test century (150).
On day five, New Zealand eventually got over the line in 28 overs, to win their first Test in India since 1988, and just their third ever.
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What does the Bengaluru loss mean for India's WTC chances?
The result has seen New Zealand edge above England and South Africa into fourth place in the WTC standings, for now. It has not affected India's position in the table, though. They remain in first place, just with a slightly reduced points percentage.
India are still one of the favourites to qualify for the World Test Championship final next June, but that is not a certainty by any means. How has the Bengaluru loss affected their chances?
India have seven more matches left in the WTC cycle – two more against New Zealand in Mumbai and Pune, and five against Australia Down Under starting next month.
Their chances of qualifying for the final will be in danger in all cases where two other teams can overtake their points percentage. They can avoid such a situation unfolding by winning six of their seven remaining matches. This will take them to a points percentage of at least 74.56%, which only Australia can exceed.
If India lose two matches and win the other five, they will finish on 69.3%, which can only be overtaken by South Africa as they will have beaten Australia at least thrice in this case.
Therefore, in order to qualify without depending on other results, India will have to win at least five more matches.
