ICC WTC Points Table: Standings After IND vs AUS 3rd Test in 2024

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep made a good fight with the last-wicket partnership to ensure India draw the rain-hit third Test against Australia. Most of the play was disrupted on the final day due to rain, leaving the five-match series level at 1-1. The result has made India's journey to the ICC World Test Championship final 2025 more challenging.

India's WTC points percentage (PCT) slipped from 57.29% to 55.88% on the day, which left it third, behind South Africa and Australia. Both sides lost PCT on the day India to 55.88% and Australia to 58.89%. But defending champions Australia remained in second place in the table.

South Africa topped the WTC standings after their win over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Gqeberha, which made the going even tougher for India. Rohit Sharma's team now has two Tests remaining in this cycle to keep its chances for a spot in the final alight. Simultaneously, South Africa and Australia, India's main rivals, each have one series remaining. South Africa will host Pakistan, while Australia is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka.

Win Both Tests: India must win the last two Tests to attain a PCT of 60.52% and thereby stay ahead of Australia in the standings.

One Win, One Draw: India can still qualify if they win one Test and draw the other, but only if Sri Lanka manages to draw at least one Test against Australia.

Avoid Losing: India would have to depend on the improbable situation of Sri Lanka winning 2-0 against Australia.

Difficult Task: Winning the series 3-1 in Australia is important but not easy.

Can India Still Make It to the WTC Final? Here's How

India must win the remaining two Tests to remain in the running for the WTC 2025 final. They can afford just one more draw; otherwise, a defeat will seriously douse their hopes. After Gabba was drawn, India could now rise to a best of 138 points and a PCT of 60.52% by winning the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. This would guarantee them a position above Australia in the standings. However, winning a 3-1 series victory on the soil of Australia is quite a task. In case India wins both, their PCT of 60.52% would hold good even if Australia goes on to win their series against Sri Lanka 2-0.

Alternatively, India might still manage to finish above Australia with one win and one draw, but that would only happen if Sri Lanka managed to draw at least one Test in their series against the Aussies. If India loses one of the remaining games, they will have to rely on Sri Lanka beating Australia 2-0, which is not very likely to happen. 

Can South Africa Secure Their Spot in the WTC Final?

South Africa is the strongest contender to reach the WTC final, winning just one of their last two matches against Pakistan. Still, if South Africa fails to win both games, then India will have a good chance of reaching the WTC final by winning at least one of their last remaining Tests. Their entry would then depend on how the series between Australia and Sri Lanka goes.

Qualifying for the WTC final is still within India's reach, though the road is incredibly tough. They need to perform exceptionally well in Melbourne and Sydney and also hope that the other series go their way. The competition is getting hotter, and Rohit Sharma and his team will have to be at their absolute best to keep their WTC dreams alive.

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