A loss or draw in the first Test against New Zealand will not hinder India’s path to a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
India currently tops the WTC standings and needs to secure five victories from the remaining eight Tests (including the first Test against New Zealand) to confirm its place in the final.
Rohit Sharma‘s team is playing the first of three Tests against New Zealand at Bengaluru’s M. Chinaswamy Stadium. After the first day’s play was washed out, the second day began early, with India choosing to bat under overcast skies.
However, rain continues to threaten the remaining days of the match, raising the possibility of a draw. If this happens, India would need to win the following two Tests before traveling to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in November.
WTC 2023-25 Points Table
1. India – 11 matches, 8 won, 2 lost, 1 drawn, 98 points, 74.24%
2. Australia – 12 matches, 8 won, 3 lost, 1 drawn, 90 points, 62.50%
3. Sri Lanka – 9 matches, 5 won, 4 lost, 0 drawn, 60 points, 55.56%
4. England – 17 matches, 9 won, 7 lost, 1 drawn, 93 points, 45.59%
5. South Africa – 6 matches, 2 won, 3 lost, 1 drawn, 28 points, 38.89%
6. New Zealand – 8 matches, 3 won, 5 lost, 0 drawn, 36 points, 37.50%
7. Bangladesh – 8 matches, 3 won, 5 lost, 0 drawn, 33 points, 34.38%
8. West Indies – 9 matches, 1 won, 6 lost, 2 drawn, 20 points, 18.52%
9. Pakistan – 8 matches, 2 won, 6 lost, 0 drawn, 16 points, 16.67%
(After Pakistan vs England first Test)
