NEW DELHI: South Africa claimed the top position in the ICC World Test Championship standings on Monday, displacing Australia following their decisive 109-run victory over Sri Lanka, whilst Team India now occupies third place after their Adelaide Test defeat. South Africa have accumulated 63.33 percentage points from 10 matches, with Australia following at 60.71 percentage points.
India previously led the WTC standings after their significant victory in Perth during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener. They held 61.11 points before the Adelaide pink ball Test, which concluded within three days, resulting in their current position with 57.29 percentage points.
Australia’s percentage points increased from 57.69 to 60.71 following their Adelaide victory.Despite securing the top position on Sunday, Australia’s leadership lasted merely one day as South Africa advanced following their triumph in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
With the Border-Gavaskar series level at 1-1, Australia hold a favourable position for securing a top-two finish.
Rohit Sharma’s struggle continues
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes India face significant challenges in reaching the WTC final this time.
India participated in both previous WTC finals, losing to New Zealand and Australia respectively. India’s aspirations for a third consecutive WTC final appearance suffered significantly following their 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand at home.
“Kya India 4-1 se series jeet payega? Degenge. Lagta to mushkil hai. Ab to India ko focus karna chaiye Border-Gavaskar series jeetne ke liye. Abb batein shuru hongi jo against New Zealand whitewash hua tha. Abb India ko bahot yaad ayegi ki wo bahot badi mistake ho gai thi. Jis tarah ki India team koi soch nahi sakta tha New Zealand, jisko England unke home ground pe shikast de rha hai, wo whitewash karegi. Par cricket isi ko kehte hain. India ko uss series haarna ka khamiyaza uthana pad rha hai [Can India win the series 4-1? It seems difficult. Now, India should focus on winning the Border-Gavaskar series. Now, discussions will start about the whitewash against New Zealand. India will deeply regret that it was a huge mistake. No one could have imagined that the Indian team, which was defeated by England on their home ground, would be whitewashed by New Zealand. But this is what cricket is about. India is now bearing the consequences of losing that series],” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
“Agar India bahar hoti hai, to Australia ke bahot bright chances ho jayenge. Australia ke paas advantage ye hai ki unke paas 5 matches hain. India ke pass sirf 3 hain. Let’s see. India and Australia ka final hona chaiye [If India are out, Australia will have very bright chances. Australia have the advantage of five matches, while India only has three. Let’s see. The final should be between India and Australia],” he further said.
Rohit Sharma press conference after loss in Adelaide Test vs Australia
To secure a final position, India require two victories and one draw from their remaining three Tests in Australia. This would elevate them to 60.53% and guarantee at least second place behind South Africa, as Australia’s maximum potential finish would be 57.02% even with a 2-0 victory in Sri Lanka.
A 3-2 series victory would place India at 58.77%, with Australia potentially finishing lower if they secure a 1-0 win in Sri Lanka. A 2-3 loss would leave India at 53.51%, allowing Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa to surpass them. In this scenario, India’s qualification would depend on South Africa losing both Tests against Pakistan and Australia securing at least a draw in Sri Lanka.