India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championships Final 2027 have further narrowed down following the second Test against Sri Lanka. After recording a stunning 165-run win in the opening Test in Galle, the hosts, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, put up a mammoth 503-run total with the loss of nine wickets in the opening innings. Their first innings saw Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel hit centuries and post 117 and 115* runs, respectively. Apart from it, two other players, including the skipper, came up with fifties.
While the Lankans were hopeful of chasing it, the visitors bowled them out for 290 runs, maintaining a 213-run lead. Shubman Gill then decided to force a follow-up and while the guests were confident of bundling their rivals out, Sonal Dinusha came up with a crucial 133*, and finished at 429/9 in their second innings, forcing a draw. While team India have still been declared the winners, the draw has slimmed down their chances of qualifying for the WTC Final 2027. The Indian team was in dire need of winning both the games, and the draw has come in as a dent, making their chances next to non-existing now.
What are India’s Chances of Making it to the WTC Final?
India could have taken a lot from the tour, especially after the empathic win in Galle. However, following the draw in Colombo, the visitors earned four points, which could have been 12, solidifying their chances of paving their way to the contest next summer. They remain fifth in the standings with a PCT of 51.51%, which would have been 63.33% had they won it, moving Bangladesh into fourth spot. Seven Tests are yet to be played in the 2025-27 cycle, making India far out of the race.
|
Rank |
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
NR |
Deducted |
Points |
PCT |
|
1 |
Australia |
10 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
96 |
80.00 |
|
2 |
South Africa |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
36 |
75.00 |
|
3 |
New Zealand |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
72.22 |
|
4 |
Bangladesh |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
55.56 |
|
5 |
India |
11 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
68 |
51.52 |
|
6 |
Sri Lanka |
6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
33.33 |
|
7 |
England |
14 |
5 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
29.76 |
|
8 |
West Indies |
12 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
20.83 |
|
9 |
Pakistan |
7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
19.05 |
Now, the Indian team needs to win both the Tests in New Zealand and the five Tests against Australia to have any chances to make it to the final. If they win six, they would have to depend on the others. Five wins wouldn’t be enough, and leave them a percentage of 60.
