The third Test match played between India and Australia at the Gabba ground in Brisbane has ended in a draw. After this match, the Indian team is at third position in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. However, India’s hopes of reaching the WTC finals are still alive and it can qualify for it by finishing second.
the third test was a draw
The third test between India and Australia ended in a draw. Australia had set a target of 275 runs for India. In reply, India had scored eight runs in its second innings without losing any wicket. However, after this the rain prevented further play and both the captains decided to end the match on a draw. After losing the toss and batting first, Australia scored 445 runs in the first innings. In reply, India’s first innings ended at 260 runs. Australia had a lead of 185 runs in the second innings. In the second innings, Australia had scored 89 runs after losing seven wickets and their total lead was 274 runs. This entire match was interrupted by rain.
Australia ahead of India
Despite the third Test being a draw between India and Australia, the Australian team is at second position in the WTC points table. Both teams were forced to share points. Due to the draw, India’s WTC points percentage declined and its PCT went from 57.29 to 55.88. India remains at the third position in the points table and South Africa is at the top.
How can India reach the final?
India will have to avoid defeat in the next two matches to reach the final of the WTC 2023-25 cycle. India will still have hopes if it can register one draw and one win in the remaining two matches. After the Gabba Test draw, India can now score a maximum of 138 points and its PCT can reach 60.52 if it is successful in winning the Melbourne and Sydney Tests against Australia. If the Rohit Sharma-led team is successful in winning the next two matches, it will win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.
India will face trouble if the series is a draw
If India is successful in defeating Australia 3-1 then its PCT will be 60.52, whereas if Australia is successful in winning its two Tests against Sri Lanka then its maximum PCT will be 57 and the defending champion team will be out of the race for the final. . If the series between India and Australia is drawn 2-2, then India’s PCT will be 57.01 and its points will be 126. In such a situation, Australia will be ahead with 130 points at the end of the series and India will be out of the race for the WTC final.