South Africa qualifies for WTC finals; Here’s what India and Australia need to do to book their ticket to Lord’s

Temba Bavuma-led South Africa on Sunday sealed qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London in June 2025. The Proteas qualified for the summit by defeating Pakistan in the first Test of the year in a two-match series by two wickets. Chasing 148, the Proteas found themselves in trouble after being reduced to 99/8. However, Kagiso Rabada (31*) and Marco Jansen (16*) ensured that the hosts crossed the finish line in the second session on day four in Centurion.

Before the two-Test series against Pakistan, South Africa only needed to win one game to qualify for the WTC final. Now it doesn’t matter what the result of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan is. Proteas are currently at the top of the WTC standings.

This result has put more pressure on India and Australia. The two teams competing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy can now do no wrong if they want to secure their place in the WTC final. With South Africa winning the first Test against Pakistan, there will be no replay of the 2023 WTC final between India and Australia.

What do India and Australia need to do to qualify for the WTC final?

Rohit Sharma and Co’s scoring percentage fell from 57.29 to 55.88 after the drawn Test in Brisbane. The team is currently in third place in the WTC standings behind South Africa and Australia.

Eight points currently separate Australia and India in the WTC standings. India only has one game left after the Melbourne Test. However, Australia still has three games left – one against India and two against Sri Lanka.

India and Australia are fighting for a total of 228 points, increasing the importance of their two head-to-head clashes in Melbourne and Sydney.

The latest WTC scenarios for India and Australia:

If India wins the MCG Test but the series ends in a 2-2 draw due to Australia’s win in Sydney, India will complete their WTC cycle with a total of 126 points and a PCT of 55.26. However, Australia can overtake India with two draws or at least one win in Sri Lanka. The same case will occur if Australia wins in Melbourne but loses in Sydney.

If India draw the MCG Test and win in Sydney, they will complete the WTC cycle with 130 points and a PCT of 57.01. Australia then needs to beat Sri Lanka 2-0 to qualify for the WTC final.

If India loses the Melbourne Test but manages to salvage a draw in Sydney, Rohit Sharma and Co. will end up with 118 points. However, Australia would have revised this by the end of the series.

If India draws both Melbourne and Sydney, they will finish with 122 points and a PCT of 53.50. Australia will then need to beat Sri Lanka in at least one game to get past India and qualify for the final.

Updated WTC rankings:

South Africa (Q) (PCT 66.67)

Australia (PCT 58.89)

India (PCT 55.88)

New Zealand (PCT 48.21)

Sri Lanka (PCT 45.45)

England (PCT 43.18)

Pakistan (PCT 30.30)

Bangladesh (PCT 31.25)

West Indies (PCT 24.24)