Rohit Sharma’s Team India’s task in the aftermath of a disappointing Test series against New Zealand did not make it easy for them to qualify for the World Test Championship 2023-2025 final. First up, they suffered a 3-0 whitewash on home soil – an unwanted record in the history of Indian cricket.
The New Zealand win saw the shift in the table. Coming into this series, India had been the table-topper in the WTC points table. India lost its number one position and slipped to the second position with a point percentage of 58.33%. Australia is at the top with a point percentage of 62.50%. New Zealand, who had lost the fourth spot to South Africa, recuperated to the same old position.
Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips, the spinners, had a ball in restriction as Indian batters succumbed to a narrow 25-run victory for the Kiwis in the third Test match between India and New Zealand. This defeat also meant it was the first time a visiting team whitewashed India in a series comprising three or more Test matches.
India’s series started on a very sour note, having lost the first match in Bengaluru by eight wickets. They also tried to make amends in Pune, only to find themselves losing by a hefty 113 runs. Now, with the BGT coming up, India needs to prepare for the matches against the Aussies to secure a spot in the WTC final.
Therefore, to qualify, India is expected to perform well in the BGT. They have to win four out of five matches against Australia since they can afford to lose just one game. The series will get underway on November 22 in Perth with a Test match. Traditionally, India has done reasonably well against them, having won four successive series with two series wins on Australian soil during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons.
India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy a record ten times. While Australia has five with the last series victory between the two sides coming in the 2014-15 season. The Adelaide Oval, the venue of the second Test from December 6-10, will add some extra spice with a day-night format. The Gabba will follow this in Brisbane from December 14-18. And the usual Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30. The series will finally conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.
A good show in the BGT will also keep India’s hopes alive for making it to the WTC final. And regaining some of the momentum that seems to have been lost in recent times.
ANI
