ICC World Test Championship: India's WTC Final qualification scenario beating Australia

India on Saturday handed Australia a humiliating defeat in first Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. India won match by an innings and 132 runs thanks to some powerful performances from Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma. Australia were bowled out for just 91 runs in third and final innings of match. This was Australia's lowest Test score on Indian soil. After India's massive victory, let's take a look at Men in Blue's qualification scenario for WTC final.

ICC World Test Championship final: India's qualification scenario

qualification scenario for World Test Championship final remains same for all three teams currently in contention to book a place in tournament's ultimate clash. 

At present, only three teams, Australia, India, and Sri Lanka, have a chance of making it to World Test Championship (WTC) final with just three series left in cycle. India are playing Australia, Sri Lanka will host New Zealand, and South Africa will lock horns against West Indies.

For Australia to miss out on WTC final, y must lose ir four-match Test series against India 4-0 and Sri Lanka must win ir series against New Zealand 2-0.

On or hand, India must win Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a margin of 3-1 or better to qualify for WTC final. Regardless of outcome of or two remaining series, India's qualification will be secured if y beat Australia by 3-1 or better.

In event that India and Australia end up in a 2-2 draw and Sri Lanka mans to win 2-0 against New Zealand, WTC final will be played between Australia and Sri Lanka, with India being kcked out of race.

ICC WTC 2021-23: Standings

India vs Australia, 1st Test

At Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Australia won toss and elected to bat first in match. However, Australian batting lineup struggled, with only Marnus Labuschagne scoring 49 off 123 balls and Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, and Alex Carey contributing 37, 31, and 36 runs respectively. Thanks to a five-wicket haul from Ravindra Jadeja, Australians were bowled out for 177 runs. India's Ashwin took three wickets while Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj each took one.

In response, India put up an impressive performance, scoring 400 runs, with Rohit Sharma's outstanding century leading way. He scored 120 off 212 balls with 15 boundaries and 2 sixes. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel also added half-centuries, and Shami hit some quick runs towards end to help India reach ir 400-run mark in second innings.

In third innings, India dominated, bowling out Australia for just 91 to win game by an innings and 132 runs. Steve Smith was highest scorer for Australia with an unbeaten 25 off 51 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja was named player of match for his outstanding all-round performance, picking up five wickets and scoring a half-century. Ashwin took three wickets and Axar Patel one.

Im: bcci.tv