India's Road To The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2021

The India National Cricket Team is all prepared for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand. The much-awaited ICC match will commence on June 18 at The Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in England. India and New Zealand were the top two teams in the ICC World Test Championship points table in the end that enabled them to book their spot in the final. There were 9 teams that participated in ICC World Test Championship.

India played 6 bilateral Test series during the tournament, out of which they won 5 series and lost 1. India played 17 matches during the tournament, out of which the Virat Kohli-led side won 12 matches and lost 4. One match ended in a draw. During the tournament, India faced West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, and England.

India’s journey during ICC World Test Championship was a thrilling and nail-biting one. Let us relive India’s journey in the tournament and look at India’s road to ICC World Test Championship final below.

India’s Road To The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2021

India started their journey in the ICC World Test Championship tournament with a bang after winning the first two Tests against West Indies. Both the Test matches were played in West Indies and India whitewashed the West Indies in spite of not having home advantage.

India won the first match by 318 runs and the 2nd match by 257 runs. Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma showed a brilliant bowling performance with 13 and 11 wickets respectively. Mohammed Shami also scalped 9 wickets. Hanuma Vihari also impressed with his maiden Test century in the 2nd game.

Vihari was given the player of the series award for his 289 runs in two matches, which consisted of 1 hundred and 2 fifties. With the victory, India earned 120 points in the points table and moved to the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

India Totally Outplays South Africa In The Home Series

In their second bilateral series in the ICC World Test Championship tournament, India hosted South Africa in three-match Test series. India won all three matches and outplayed South Africa totally. The tournament gained wide attention from Indian fans because Rohit Sharma was promoted as an opener for the first time in the Test during the series.

India won the first match by 203 runs. Mayank Agarwal smashed a double hundred (215) in the first match while Rohit Sharma smashed two centuries (176 and 127) in the two innings. In the 2nd Test, South Africa lost by an innings and 137 runs after India posted a gigantic 601-5 in the 1st innings. Mayank Agarwal hit 108 while Virat Kohli smashed a spectacular unbeaten 254 in the first innings.

In the 3rd Test, India defeated South Africa by an innings and 202 runs with a double century (212) by Rohit Sharma and a century (115) by Ajinkya Rahane. Rohit Sharma impressed everyone as an opener and won the player of series award too.

India Blasts Bangladesh With Whitewash In The Home Series

The Virat Kohli and boys continued their fabulous performance in World Test Championship during their third bilateral series against Bangladesh. India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in the home series. India won the 1st Test by an innings and 130 runs. India bowled out Bangladesh for 150 and 213 and scored 493 runs in the 1st innings. Mayank Agarwal again bagged the limelight with his 243 run-knock.

In the 2nd Test, India won by an innings and 46 runs. India bowled out Bangladesh at 106 in the 1st innings. India put up 347-9 on the scoreboard and bowled out Bangladesh for just 195 in the 2nd innings. Ishant Sharma scalped 9 wickets in the match while Umesh Yadav bagged 8 wickets. Ishant Sharma was adjudged player of the series for picking 12 wickets.

India Goes On Backfoot After The Loss To New Zealand

After winning three back-to-back Test series in ICC World Test Championship, India faced a tough time against New Zealand. During the away tour, India lost to New Zealand 2-0. New Zealand defeated India by 10 wickets in the 1st Test. New Zealand bowled out India for 165 and 191 in both innings. New Zealand also smashed 348 runs in the first innings to put India under pressure. Tim Southee was awarded player of the match for 9 wickets in the match.

In the 2nd Test, India scored 242 in the 1st innings. In response, New Zealand scored 235 in the 1st innings and India gained a chance to change the result this time. However, India were bowled out for just 124 in the 2nd innings and New Zealand won the match with an easy target of 132. Kyle Jamieson was adjudged player of the match for his 5-wicket haul while Tim Southee was awarded player of the series for scalping 14 wickets.

India Awestruck Australia In Away Series

India’s one of the most magnificent victories in the ICC World Test Championship tournament was the victory against Australia. India encountered Australia in 4 Tests, with Australia having the home advantage. Many cricket enthusiasts and experts thought that the series will be a one-sided affair due to Australia’s dominance at home. However, India shocked everyone and proved why they are the no.1 Test team in cricket. India defeated Australia 2-1 in the nail-biting series.

India completely lost the plot in the 1st match as they scored their lowest Test total of 36-9 in the 2nd innings. With just 93 as the target for victory, Australia won the game by 8 wickets. In the 2nd Test, India made a comeback and won the match by 8 wickets. Ajinkya Rahane did a commendable job with a century (112) in the 2nd innings while leading the team.

In the 3rd Test, Australia had a great chance of victory but they failed to dismiss India’s 7 wickets on the final day. India lost only 2 wickets on the 5th day and scored 334-5 to draw the Test. In the 4th Test, India chased down a 327-run target and won the match by 3 wickets. It became a historic victory for India as they also defeated Australia in series 2-1. After the victory against Australia, India needed to defeat England to secure a berth in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

India Overshadows England in Home Series To Book Berth In WTC Final

India faced England in their last bilateral series of ICC World Test Championships. Before the series, England, India, and Australia had chances to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final. England made a brilliant start with a victory in the 1st Test by 227 runs. England’s huge total of 578-10 in the 1st innings helped them to dominate the match. In the 2nd Test, India defeated England by 317 runs. India scored 329 and 286 in both the innings and bowled out England for just 134 and 164 to take the victory in their favor.

In the 3rd Test, India rose their victory margin and won the match by 10 wickets. India bowled out England for just 112 and 81 in the two innings to win the match with ease. In the 4th Test, India scored 365 in response to England’s 205. Later, India bowled out England for just 135 and won the match by an innings and 25 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded player of the series after he scalped 32 wickets in 4 matches.

India defeated England 3-1 in the four-match Test series that witnessed India’s total dominance at their home soil. Now, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team is just one step away from lifting the ICC World Test Championship final.