WTC: India Book World Test Championship Final Berth 

WTC: The Indian cricket team secured the second berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final after Australia became the first to guarantee their advancement. New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Christchurch led to India’s qualification. Despite a weather delay, the Kiwis surpassed the 285-run goal on Day 5.

While to remain in contention for the WTC final, Sri Lanka must defeat New Zealand in both Test matches. But they fell short against the home team on Monday. Kane Williamson scored the winning runs as New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by a narrow margin of two wickets. The final few overs were filled with epic drama as New Zealand lost many wickets.

Sri Lanka’s Defeat Against New Zealand

Williamson, though, overcame his jitters to secure a 1-0 series victory and disqualify Sri Lanka from the WTC championship race. On the other hand, India was equally preoccupied with their Test matchup with Australia. Playing the Steve Smith-led team in Ahmedabad on Day 5 of the 4th Test. India needed to defeat Australia to secure a position in the Test championship match. However, losing or drawing would also be acceptable because Sri Lanka failed to defeat New Zealand in the opening Test.

By day’s end on Day 4, after play had seemingly reached a conclusion in New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka Test, the rain began to pour. The game, however, was resumed with a minimum of 53 overs. And no break was promised as the sun began to shine. Daryl Mitchell also hit a quickfire 81 off 86 balls to help his team surpass Sri Lanka’s total and grab a 1-0 series lead. However, Kane Williamson led the Kiwis in scoring with his 27th Test century.

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series came down to the wire. Rohit’s Team India scored 571 in the first innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Former Indian captain Kohli broke his century drought on Sunday in the game’s longest format after regaining his best form ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final. In the fourth Test at Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli scored the most runs for India with 186 from 364 balls.

Team India’s Position Against Australians

India had the upper hand over the Baggy Greens in the fourth Test thanks to Kohli’s eighth century against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. In the same match that Kohli started scoring again, Indian opener Shubman Gill rewarded the selectors’ faith by playing a scorching performance of 128 off 235 balls. The Oval will host the ICC World Test Championship final in June 2021–2023.

India and Australia, the top two teams in the ICC rankings, will play in the summit match in London from June 7 to June 11. An additional reserve day will be during the World Test Championship (12 June). In the first-ever ICC World Test Championship at Southampton in 2021, Team India was defeated by New Zealand by an 8-wicket margin under Kohli’s captaincy.