India’s cricket calendar is about to get busier as they prepare to host Bangladesh for two crucial Test matches. Ahead of a competitive cricket season, the Indian cricket team is focusing on this upcoming series against the Bangla Tigers, followed by three more Tests against New Zealand at home. This will set the stage for a grueling away series with Australia for the coveted five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy later in the year.
As consistent finalists in the World Test Championship (WTC), India is determined to secure a place in the final match for the third consecutive time. Currently leading the standings among the nine participating teams, Team India has control over its destiny. The goal for captain Rohit Sharma and his squad is not just to make it to the finale but to win the title this time.
With six wins out of the nine Tests played so far, India boasts an impressive record, punctuated by two losses and a solitary draw. They sit at the top of the WTC table with a PCT (Points Percentage) of 68.52. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how India’s PCT will change if they manage to secure a clean sweep against Bangladesh in their two-match series. A successful sweep would elevate India’s PCT to 74.24, placing them in a favorable position to claim a spot in the final.
However, a spotless record in this series alone won’t guarantee a final’s berth. India still has eight more matches to navigate, and failures in these could jeopardize their standing in the WTC rankings. For clarity, each team is awarded 12 points for a win, 6 points for a draw, and none for a loss.
For India to maintain its lead and secure a spot in the final, they need to win at least six out of their remaining ten games. Achieving this will result in a PCT of approximately 64.
.03, which should be sufficient to make it to the championship match.
Bangladesh, fresh off a 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan, still faces a challenging road ahead. Currently placed fourth with a PCT of 45.83, the Bangladeshi team has upcoming away Test matches against India and the West Indies, followed by two home Tests against South Africa. Winning all these matches seems like a monumental task, but doing so would elevate their PCT to 72.91. However, a more achievable target of winning four of these matches would take their PCT to 56.25, which might not be enough to secure a spot in the final.
As it stands, the West Indies, occupying the bottom of the table, are the only team entirely out of the WTC final’s race. Even Pakistan, despite being ranked eighth, retains a slim mathematical chance of making it to the final. On the flip side, no team has yet secured a spot in the final, and it’s unlikely that any team will do so imminently.
The World Test Championship’s format ensures that every match matters, and India understands the importance of maintaining their current form. Rohit Sharma, along with his team, is likely to approach each game with the focus and determination to maximize their chances of lifting the WTC trophy finally.
To recap, India’s journey to the WTC final is filled with challenges, and this two-Test series against Bangladesh is just the beginning. With a clear strategy, a skilled squad, and the right mindset, they aim not just for a clean sweep against the Bangla Tigers but for continued success throughout the season. The cricketing world will be watching closely to see if Team India can turn their aspirations into reality.
