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India's aspirations to secure a third consecutive berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final have taken a significant hit after a disheartening loss to New Zealand in the third Test match, played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Kiwis, in a historic feat, managed to whitewash India in the three-match series, delivering a crushing blow to the Indian team's WTC qualification hopes.
The defeat, which saw New Zealand emerge victorious by a margin of 26 runs, has pushed India to the precarious second position in the WTC 2023-25 points table. The Rohit Sharma-led team now holds a PCT% of 58.33, trailing behind Australia, the 2023 WTC champions, who currently sit at the top with a PCT% of 62.50. Sri Lanka holds the third position with 55.56 PCT%, while New Zealand has ascended to the fourth position with 54.54 PCT%.
India, in a bid to secure their place in the final, will now have to overcome a formidable challenge. They need to win a minimum of four out of the remaining five Test matches, starting with the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scheduled to commence on November 22 in Perth. The Indian team has a strong record in Australia, having won the previous two editions of the Border-Gavaskar series. However, this time, the pressure is immense as they need to secure four victories to guarantee their qualification for the WTC final.
India's previous appearances in the WTC final in 2021 and 2023 unfortunately ended in defeats. In 2021, India faced a disappointing 8-wicket loss to New Zealand in Southampton, while in 2023, they suffered a heavy 209-run defeat against Australia. India will be determined to rewrite their history in the upcoming WTC cycle, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges and requires unwavering determination and execution.
The Indian team will be keenly aware of the task at hand and will strive to learn from their recent setbacks. They will need to focus on their strengths, address their weaknesses, and execute their plans with precision. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in Australia will be a crucial test for India, as it will ultimately decide their fate in the WTC 2025 final.
Source: How Can India Qualify For WTC 2025 Final After Losing 3rd Test Against New Zealand?