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Aakash Chopra opined that India’s recent 0-3 whitewash defeat to New Zealand was a major turning point in the race for the WTC final.
India currently sits at No. 3 position in WTC 2023-25 points table. (Picture Credit: AP)
Former India batter Aakash Chopra claims India can only blame themselves for complicating their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final qualification scenario. India recently conceded a 10-wicket loss to Australia in the 2nd Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. The crushing defeat in Adelaide was a big hit to India’s chances of making the WTC final at Lord’s next year. Aakash recently spoke about India’s qualification scenario and suggested that the current situation in the WTC final race is a direct consequence of their recent displays in red-ball cricket.
“It’s a mess of our own making,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra opined that India’s recent 0-3 whitewash defeat to New Zealand was a major turning point in the race for the WTC final. It was a huge setback for the two-time finalists. He also highlighted the rain-affected draw against the West Indies as another factor that tarnished India’s chances of landing a third consecutive final.“A West Indies match still comes to mind, where we were in trouble because of rain, and there was no result. The headache is only because we lost 0-3 to New Zealand. If we had taken 100 per cent points there, we would have been sitting at ease today. That is the biggest problem,”Aakash said.
Outlining the scenarios for India’s qualification, Aakash Chopra emphasized the significance of the remaining three matches of the 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“India has three matches left, and if you win all three matches, youdon’t need to worryat all. It means you will win this series 4-1 and won’t need to depend on anyone else. Your qualification will be confirmedin the first week of January,”he said.
Aakash Chopra further explained how winning the series 3-2 will not secure India’s spot in the WTC final.“If you win two matches, say Melbourne and Sydney, but lose in Gabba, which means you win the series 3-2, Sri Lanka will have to draw at least one of the two Test matches against Australia,”he said.
India currently trails South Africa and Australia in the latest WTC standings. South Africa leads the list with a PCT of 63.33 per cent after 10 matches. Australia follows close with a PCT of 60.71 per cent in 14 matches. The upcoming Tests will be crucial for India as they look to prove their 57.29 PCT for a chance to make a third-consecutive WTC final.
