What each team needs to do to qualify for the WTC final

Team India seems to be eliminated from the World Test Championship final. At present, South Africa and Australia are at the first and second positions respectively in the points table. South Africa recently whitewashed Sri Lanka in the 2-match Test series on home soil, after which they achieved the top position in the points table.

Also Read: Race to WTC 25 Final: Here is what India need to do to qualify for World Test Championship final

Team India's position is at stake as South Africa reaches the top. From here, South Africa needs only one more win to make it to the finals. At the same time, Australia will need about three wins to get a place in the finals. So let us know what each team will need in this situation to make it to the WTC final.

WTC Points Table

Australia's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win at least one Test against Sri Lanka
• 2-3 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need to win 2-0 against Sri Lanka

Australia, standing at second position with 60.71 percent, have three home Tests against India and two away Tests in Sri Lanka remaining. They need two wins from their three Tests against India to secure a place in the final. 

Even if Australia loses both Tests in Sri Lanka, a 3-2 series win against India would leave them at 55.26 percent, higher than India's 53.51 percent and Sri Lanka's 53.85 percent. If Australia loses 2-3, India would move up to 58.77 percent, and Australia would then need to win both Tests in Sri Lanka to surpass India. 

Alternatively, they would have to hope that South Africa manages no more than one draw against Pakistan, leaving South Africa at 55.56%, a mark Australia can surpass with a win and a draw in Sri Lanka.

India's path to WTC final

• 4-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-1 (BGT Scoreline) - Will qualify for WTC final
• 3-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to draw at least one of their remaining matches against Australia
• 2-2 (BGT Scoreline) - Will need Sri Lanka to win series against Australia 1-0 or 2-0 to qualify

The Indian team has lost 4 of the last 5 tests. At present, India is at third position in the points table with 57.290 percent. 

From here, Team India will have to achieve at least two wins in the remaining three Tests against Australia to reach the finals without depending on the results of other teams. Apart from this, they will have to get a test drawn. In this situation, even Australia's 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka will not cause any trouble.

If the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends 2-2 and both the Australia-Sri Lanka Tests are drawn, then India and Australia will be tied at 55.26%. In this situation, Team India will progress in terms of winning more series.

Also Read: Is it the end of Rohit-Kohli? How can India qualify for WTC final? Who else whitewashed India at home?

South Africa's path to WTC final

• Win one of their remaining two Tests against Pakistan

South Africa, leading the table with a percentage of 63.33, has two home matches against Pakistan remaining. Their recent 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka has put them in a strong position. 

To secure a spot in the final, South Africa needs to win just one of their upcoming Tests against Pakistan. A 1-1 series result would leave them at 61.11 percent, with only India or Australia in a position to overtake them.

Sri Lanka's path to WTC final

• Win both remaining Tests against Australia and have other results go their way

Sri Lanka, currently at 45.45 percent, has two home matches against Australia left. Even if they win both Tests, they would only reach 53.85 percent, and would then be dependent on other results. 

South Africa and one of India or Australia can surpass this percentage. For both teams to finish below 53.85 percent, Australia would need to win their series against India 2-1 with two draws, and South Africa would have to lose both Tests against Pakistan.