As the Ahmedabad Test between India and Australia petered out for a draw on Day 5, India and their billon fans received a great, relieving news from the other part of the world, where New Zealand stole a last-ball thriller against Sri Lanka to win the Christchurch Test match by 2 wickets on the last ball of the Test, sending India on their way into the WTC final, and knocking Sri Lanka out of contention of the WTC final.
Rohit Sharma’s team qualified for the WTC final and will face Australia, who had made their entry into the WTC final by beating India in Indore.
Sri Lanka and India remained the two teams in contention to face Australia.
Sri Lanka needed to whitewash New Zealand, in New Zealand, by 2-0 and hope for India to not win the Ahmedabad Test in order for the Lankans to reach the WTC final.
However, Sri Lanka, after dominating the first two days of the Christchurch Test, allowed the hosts to make a comeback and eventually New Zealand, led by former skipper Kane Williamson‘s superb 121* knock and Daryl Mitchell scoring a quick 86-ball 81, chased down the target of 285 in 70 overs, with the last run coming as a bye on the last ball of the game.
https://twitter.com/sparknzsport/status/1635185784822321153?s=20
How did Sri Lanka’s loss to New Zealand helped India reach WTC final?
This result in Christchurch knocked Sri Lanka out of the WTC final race and propelled India in the WTC final, regardless of the outcome in Ahmedabad.
Even if Sri Lanka win the 2nd Test vs New Zealand, they will only go up to 52.78 points. That will be still lower than India’s 56.94 even if India go on to lose the Ahmedabad Test. If India draw in Ahmedabad, India will finish on 58.80. Australia have already qualified: even if they lose in Ahmedabad, they will end with a percentage of 64.91.
Australia finish at top of the WTC points table, and India are second
The WTC Final 2023 will take place at The Oval in London from June 7.
India lost the WTC 2021 final to New Zealand, and the Asian giants will be putting their best foot forward to win this time. But, in their way stand Australia, who will also be hoping to have all their pacers fit and available.
