'For Them, It's Done.' Aakash Chopra Predicts WTC Finalists and Feels Team India Would Have A Difficult Time Qualifying

Updated - 09 Mar 2022, 01:58 PM

India cricket team
India cricket team. Image: BCCI

Former Team  India opener Aakash Chopra assessed the teams’ prospects of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.

Team India’s percentage points in the World Test Championship standings climbed to 54.16 after a dominating win against Sri Lanka in the Mohali Test. The team, however, stayed in fifth place, with Australia (77.77), Pakistan (66.66), Sri Lanka (66.66), and South Africa (60) in front of them. The team will play the series’ second and final Test in Bengaluru from March 12 to 16, which will be a day/night match.

Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli
Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli. Image: Twitter

A one-off Test against England (away), a two-Test series against Bangladesh (away), and a four-match series against Australia are among India’s remaining Tests in the WTC cycle (home).

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believed that it will be difficult for India to qualify for the competition final, despite the fact that all teams have a chance.

Team India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship are Less:

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra. Image Credit: Twitter

“In the four-match series against Australia, India needs to win all four games. “You can’t draw; you have to win all four games,” Aakash declared on his YouTube channel.

“We’ll probably win 2-0 versus Sri Lanka.” We’ll have to play Bangladesh on the road, but I’m convinced we’ll win. And then there was the one-time Test versus England. It won’t be easy because we lost the series in South Africa.”

In addition, the former Indian opener feels that defending champions New Zealand will not qualify for the tournament’s final and that Pakistan and Australia are the clear favourites in the title match.

“Only two Tests remain at home for them (New Zealand).” Against Bangladesh and South Africa, they have drawn series. New Zealand is not going to be able to compete in the tournament. Even if they win their final two Tests against Sri Lanka at home, they still face two Tests against Pakistan on the road (and 3 against England). They are out; they will not qualify,” Aakash stated.

I’m not including England, Bangladesh, or the West Indies, and I’m also not including New Zealand. I don’t believe Sri Lanka has a chance to qualify. Australia, India, and Pakistan, I believe, will be the three teams competing. If Pakistan fails to develop such roads, a Pakistan-Australia final is a distinct possibility.

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