The ICC World Test Championship is the premier Test cricket championship, conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Starting in 2019, New Zealand were the winners of the first edition, where the Indian cricket team finished runner-up.
The WTC follows a league and final format. In the league stage, the percentage of points collected determines the league standings. Regardless of the length of the series, each Test sees 12 points for a win, four for a draw and six for a tie. Each team will play six series - three at home and three away.
As it stands, India are fourth in the WTC 2021-23 points table with a 52.08 win percentage from 12 matches. The previous edition’s runners-up have six wins, four losses and two draws this time. India’s last Test was in July this year, a seven-wicket defeat against England.
India will take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting on December 14 in Chattogram. With Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja injured, the Indian side, led by KL Rahul, has a difficult task ahead of them in spin-friendly conditions.
The current Bangladesh tour includes the six Tests remaining for India in the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. Team India will play Australia in four matches in the five-day format at home in February 2023.
The table-toppers Aussies will face South Africa, currently second in the WTC points table, in three Test matches at home before the India series, meaning that at least one of the top two sides are likely to drop points.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are ruled out of the race to make the WTC final after the 2-0 series defeat to England.
Can India qualify for the WTC 2021-23 final?
India are in the fray to make the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June 2023.
Ideally, Rohit Sharma and Co. would aim to win all six Tests matches, a realistic possibility considering India’s record against Bangladesh and their strength at home. Those wins would give the Indian team a win percentage of 68.06, providing them with a great chance to topple either Australia or South Africa.
However, even a single defeat could put India’s surge for the WTC final at risk. The loss would make it difficult to surpass Australia and South Africa’s win percentages which currently stand at 75 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.
India have won three Tests on the bounce against Bangladesh, the latest in November 2019. Meanwhile, they have also won three five-day series in a row against Australia.
Photo credit: Alamy
