IND vs NZ: India qualification scenario for ICC WTC 2023-25 final after loss to New Zealand in 1st test

The ICC WTC 2023-25 final is scheduled to be played at Lord’s in June next year.

The Indian cricket team have been handed a shocking loss at the hands of New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the first match of the three-test IND vs NZ series.

The Black Caps, who had earlier lost to Sri Lanka 2-0 on dust bowls in Galle, got the ideal conditions for themselves – clouds, a moist pitch which got better for batting – in Bengaluru and they utilised it to great effect after Indian captain Rohit Sharma elected to bat first.

New Zealand bowled India out for only 46 runs in the first innings with Matt Henry and William O’Rourke sharing nine scalps between them. They then finished with a 356-run lead through a century from Rachin Ravindra and fifties from Devon Conway and Tim Southee.

India staged a fightback in their second innings, courtesy of fifties from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant and a century from Sarfaraz Khan, India’s collapse of 54/7 meant they could give a target of only 107 runs, which New Zealand chased down with eight wickets in hand.

While India have retained their top spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings, it has dented their chances a bit of reaching the ICC WTC 2023-25 final, giving a chance to a couple of other teams to come near them.

After the loss in the first IND vs NZ test in Bengaluru, India’s PCT (percentage of points won) is 68.06 and they have retained their No. 1 spot in the standings.

Let’s talk about India’s qualification scenario for the ICC WTC 2023-25 final after loss in IND vs NZ Bengaluru test:

To secure their spot in the ICC WTC 2025 final, India need at least four victories and two draws (56 points) in their remaining seven test matches, which will see them end with 67.54 PCT. India have two tests against New Zealand at home and five in Australia left in this cycle.

If India get fewer than these 56 points, then there is a possibility of them not finishing in the top two.

What this loss in Bengaluru has done is brought New Zealand (PCT 44.44) and South Africa (38.89) alive in the race as well, while Australia (PCT 62.50) and Sri Lanka (PCT 55.56) were already breathing under India’s neck.

Now, not only India can’t afford a slip-up in the two tests against New Zealand, but also they need to secure a couple of wins in Australia.

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