Indian gamers celebrates through the third day of the second Test towards Australia in New Delhi on February 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: V.V. Krishnan
The race to qualification for the ICC World Test Championship Final took one other flip on February 19, 2023 as India claimed a six-wicket victory over Australia to maneuver a step nearer to sealing their place within the June 7 sport at The Oval.
The World Test Championship (WTC) has seen two years of intense competitors within the longest format, and the second Test within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy characterised the ebb and circulate that has been current all through, with either side wrestling for management of the match earlier than Rohit Sharma’s males triumphed on a dramatic day in Delhi.
With the highest two groups within the WTC standings securing a spot in June’s Final, the end result nonetheless signifies that Australia and India management their very own future as they edge in the direction of the conclusion of the competitors, the ICC mentioned in a launch.
Australia stay atop the standings regardless of the defeat lowering their share tally to 66.67%, whereas India widened the hole between themselves and third spot because of their victory in Delhi, shifting to 64.06%.
As a results of India’s victory, the variety of groups capable of qualify for the Final shrinks from 4 to a few. South Africa drop out of rivalry, unable to succeed in the share factors required to interrupt into the highest two, leaving Sri Lanka because the lone challenger for a spot within the Final.
Sri Lanka presently sit third within the standings on 53.33%, and so they head to New Zealand subsequent month figuring out that not solely should they win each Tests of their two-match collection to face any likelihood of qualification, however they’re additionally reliant on beneficial leads to the remaining Tests between India and Australia.
The third Test between India and Australia begins in Indore on March 1 with the hosts capable of safe their place at The Oval with one other victory. Anything much less, and Australia will change into the primary group to qualify for the WTC Final.
With a lot nonetheless to play for, the race to qualification guarantees to supply extra rigidity and pleasure earlier than the highest two groups take to the sector on June 7 with the coveted ICC WTC Mace and a spot in historical past at stake.
