On Day 3 at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, India was defeated by Australia by a margin of nine wickets in the third Test. In the first session, the Kangaroos successfully chased down the mark of 76 runs.
Australia can say thanks to Travis Head’s counterattacking innings of 49 off 53. With this victory, Australia has earned a spot in the World Test Championship final. The Aussies have a points percentage of 68.52 and 11 victories thus far in the 2021–23 cycle.
Australia, under the captaincy of Steve Smith, took complete control of the game on Day 1 as they bowled India out for just 109 runs in the first innings. Usman Khawaja’s outstanding 60-run effort gave them a substantial lead of 88 runs in the first innings of their response.
India needed to improve their batting performance in the second innings to set a difficult goal for Australia in the fourth innings because they were 88 runs behind. Nathan Lyon, with a superb spell of 8/64 that bunched out India on 163, ensured that none of it happened by bringing the Indian batting on their knees.
Chance of team India to reach the final of World Test Championship
India’s chances of qualifying for the World Tennis Championship final are in jeopardy as a result of the defeat in the third Test. With 10 wins under their belt and a points percentage of 60.29, they are ranked second in the points table.
To guarantee their place in the WTC final, India must defeat Australia in the series’ last Test The 4th and the last match of the series will begin on March 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
If the Men in Blues somehow manage to lose it, Sri Lanka will decide their fate. The Lankans are currently third in the points table with a points percentage of 53.33.
In order clinch the 2nd spot, Dimuth Karunaratne led side will need to win both of their remaining Test against New Zealand. However, if India wins their last Test they will directly qualify for the WTC final irrespective of Sri Lanka’s results.
With victories in the final two Tests (against the Kiwis), Sri Lanka will pass India for second position (should India lose the fourth Test against Australia), finishing with a points percentage of 61.11 as opposed to India’s 60.29.
As they will finish with a points percentage of 55.55 if they win one and draw the other Test against the Kiwis, even a draw in any of the two Tests will end Sri Lanka’s aspirations of reaching the WTC final. Thus, Sri Lanka will still need to win both of their remaining games in order to avoid missing out on a chance to reach the final and India moving on to the WTC final game.
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