IND vs NZ Test: If India loses, WTC Final will be stuck, Australia-South Africa… complete equation

New Delhi. India has given New Zealand a target of 107 runs to win the first test match. If New Zealand fails in this test, India will move closer to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. But if India loses, it will be a big blow to its WTC final hopes. This defeat will directly impact the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be held in Australia, in which India will have to win the series at any cost.

India is currently at number one in the points table
India has played both the WTC finals so far (2021 and 2023). But New Zealand is trying to shock India by causing an upset in the Bengaluru Test. Before understanding the complete equation of WTC Final 2025, let us look at the points table till now. India is at first position in the points table with 98 points and 74.24 winning percentage after winning 8 out of 11 tests. Australia is at second place with 90 points and 62.50 winning percentage. Sri Lanka (55.56 winning percent) is at third position and England (43.06 winning percent) is at fourth position. South Africa (38.89 winning percent) is at fifth position and New Zealand (37.50 winning percent) is at sixth position.

India will have 7 tests left after the Bengaluru match
To easily make it to the WTC final, the Indian team still has to win at least 4 out of 8 tests. If India loses to New Zealand in Bengaluru, this equation will change slightly. If this happens, India will have only 7 test matches left. Then India will not only have to win both the remaining test matches against New Zealand, but will also have to win at least 2 matches against Australia. Even after this the equation of if-but will remain.

The biggest advantage for South Africa…
Every team in the table will benefit from India’s defeat to New Zealand, but South Africa may end up in a lottery. The reason is that South Africa has to play 3 test series. he/she has to play two of these series at home, in which he/she is a contender for victory.

Easy way for India to play the final…
If India wants to play the WTC final even after losing in Bengaluru, then the easiest way is to beat New Zealand in the next 2 matches and then win 3 Tests in Australia. If this happens, no team will be able to stop India from playing the third consecutive WTC final. The final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 will be played at Lord’s from June 11 next year.

tag: india vs new zealand, team india, World Test Championship, wtc final