WTC 2025: Team India Aims for Third Consecutive Final Appearance Amidst Setbacks
Team India has comfortably reached the finals of both World Test Championships (WTC) held so far. Although they have not won the title, the achievement of making it to the finals consecutively is noteworthy. Now, the team aspires to reach the WTC final for the third time in a row. However, India has recently faced a significant setback from New Zealand.
India suffered consecutive defeats to the Kiwis on home soil, which impacted their chances. Nonetheless, the team has maintained a top position with a winning percentage of 73% before the series, holding an unparalleled status among other teams. Even after the two losses, they remain in the number one position, although their winning percentage has dropped to 62.82.
Cricket analysts believe that if Team India loses the upcoming third Test, starting Friday in Mumbai, their hopes for the WTC final will be dashed. Not only would they lose the top position, but they may also drop lower in the standings.
Following this Test series, India faces a tough tour of Australia, where they must win all four Tests to have a chance at the final. South Africa, currently on a winning streak, is expected to provide stiff competition for India in the upcoming matches. However, analysts emphasize that winning against New Zealand in this Test is crucial for India, regardless of the results in Australia.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Team Management is considering making changes to the squad for the upcoming third Test. English sports media have indicated this possibility. After the second Test, which saw three changes (with Gill, Sundar, and Akash replacing Rahul, Kuldeep, and Siraj), the team faced defeat. Consequently, further adjustments are likely, with indications that Mohammed Siraj and Dhruv Jurel might be brought in, while Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant may be rested.