IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Here's How India Can Still Qualify For World Test Championship 2025 Final

World Test Championship 2025 Final: The race to play the WTC 2025 Final is slowly, but steadily heating up. Few days back, it looked as if India and Australia were the clear favourites to lock horns at Lord's, a repeat of the WTC 2023 Final, but the Kiwis have bounced back in some style and have opened the WTC qualification scenario wide open. India on the other hand have no one but just themselves to blame for their lacklustre, rather timid performance. India lost the Pune Test by a total of 113 runs

India's World Test Championship Final Qualification Scenario

India have been completely outplayed and outsmarted by New Zealand in Pune. India had prepared a turning track to trap the Kiwis, but they somehow failed to navigate their own way through it. The Kiwis have been nothing but absolutely sensational in Pune. India now have their hopes from the Mumbai Test match, which they can't afford to lose.

India need to do something different now, to qualify for the World Test Championship Final. India face a must win situation in Mumbai, but that won't be enough for them. They also need to win three matches out of their five in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With one Test match remaining at home and five Test matches remaining in Australia, India can't afford another loss.

ALSO READ | 'Even I Was Questioning': MS Dhoni Shares His Nervous Thoughts During The IND vs SA T20 WC Final

India can afford only one draw, Rohit Sharma 's men need to win four matches from the remaining six to book a ticket for themselves in order to play the WTC finals. If India win all the six matches, they go through with a commanding PCT of 74.56.

ALSO READ | Virat Kohli Faces Criticism for Rishabh Pant 's Run Out on Day 3 in Pune Test

BCCI Announce Squad For Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have announced India's squad for the much anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah has been named as the vice-captain of the squad. Surprisingly Mohammad Shami has been left out. Much to India's misfortune, Kuldeep Yadav too has been rested due to injury issues. India play their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test on November 23, 2024