Revealed: How can India qualify for WTC Final after defeat to Australia in Boxing Day Test

India suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Men in Blue fought hard on the final day but lost wickets in clusters in the last session to hand over the game to Australia.

After this loss, their road to the World Test Championship (WTC) final has become even tougher. although they are not out of the race yet. Rohit Sharma and his men still have a slim chance of qualifying if things go their way.

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India's WTC Final qualification scenario after loss in Boxing Day Test

Since India have now lost the Melbourne Test, their qualification chances for the WTC final hang by a thread. The Men in Blue no longer have their fate in their own hands and will need certain things to go their way if they are to qualify for the summit clash in June next year.

However, they first need to win the fifth Test in Sydney in order to keep their qualification hopes alive. The Sydney Test will also be India's last match of this WTC cycle. If India wins in Sydney, they will finish with a points percentage of 55.26.

Apart from their win in Sydney, the Men in Blue will have a close eye on Australia's two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. If Australia suffers a 0-2 defeat to Sri Lanka, they will finish with a points percentage of 54.26, which will be lower than India's percentage.

In this case, India will qualify for the summit clash where they will face South Africa. South Africa have already qualified for the final after their thrilling win over Pakistan in the first Test recently.

However, the Men in Blue will be knocked out if they lose the next match against Australia, paving the way for a South Africa-Australia clash in the final to be played at Lord's, London.

How can Australia qualify for the WTC Final?

Australia have three matches left in the current cycle - one against India at home and two against Sri Lanka away from home. Even if they manage to draw one of these games, they will end up with a points percentage of 56.48 and qualify for the final.

Australia are also the defending champions of the World Test Championship. having defeated India in the final played in 2023. They have been excellent in this cycle as well and look primed to qualify for the summit clash.

While the qualification scenario seems simple and straightforward, the equation will be changed if Australia or India are handed a penalty for slow over-rate after the Boxing Day Test.

India lost seven wickets in the final session

Meanwhile, India's disappointing performance continued in the ongoing series against Australia as they lost seven wickets in the final session. The batting has been below par for the Men in Blue and their form didn't improve here as well.

The match seemed to be going towards a draw at tea when Australia needed seven wickets to win in the final session with Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal looking set. But Pant's wicket opened the floodgates for Australia and they forced their way in with some relentless bowling performance.