Revealed: How can India qualify for WTC final after humiliating Test series whitewash vs New Zealand

India suffered a surprising home Test series whitewash against New Zealand after losing the third Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This loss dented the chances of the Rohit Sharma-led team qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which is scheduled to be played at Lord's in June 2025.

The Men in Blue lost the third and final Test match against New Zealand by 25 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, November 3. Notably, it was India's first-ever home series whitewash in a Test series of three or more games. The hosts failed to chase down a target of 147 runs in the final innings.

Australia Leads the World Test Championship 2023-25 Points Table

This outcome in the recently concluded Test series has disappointed fans and also hurt India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final. Notably, the Indian team began the series in top place in the WTC 2023-25 table. This defeat cost them 36 valuable points in the nine-team points table.

Australia now leads the WTC table with a points percentage (PCT) of 62.50. India has dropped to second place, with a PCT of 58.33. The Rohit Sharma-led team has secured 8 wins and suffered 5 losses, with a draw in 14 matches. Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and South Africa are in the next places in the table.

India's Qualification Scenario to Reach the WTC Final

The Indian team's chances of reaching the summit clash have become tougher. They have only one series left in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. To secure a spot in the final without relying on other results, Rohit Sharma’s team must win the five-match Test series in Australia with a margin of 4-0.

The team's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final depend on outcomes in other series. They do not need New Zealand to avoid a whitewash against England in their upcoming home series and hope that both Sri Lanka and South Africa lose more matches than they win in their remaining Tests.

Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa Competing for a Place in WTC Final

Australia is also aiming for a strong performance to secure a WTC final spot. South Africa and Sri Lanka will compete in a two-match Test series in South Africa from November 27 to December 9. South Africa will then play a final two-match Test series at home against Pakistan from December 26 to January 7.

Sri Lanka is set to play their last series of the WTC 202-25 cycle at home against Australia, with two matches scheduled from January 29 to February 10. New Zealand will face England in a three-match Test series in their final WTC assignment, which will be played between November 28 and December 18.

Also read: ICC World Test Championship Points Table, WTC Table After IND vs NZ 3rd Test 2024