Sun Oct 27 14:03:57 UTC 2024: ## India’s WTC Dream Takes a Hit as Team Loses to New Zealand in Second Test
**Wellington, New Zealand:** India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final suffered a blow after a humiliating defeat to New Zealand by 113 runs in the second test match. The Indian batting line-up crumbled against New Zealand’s spin bowlers, failing to chase down a 359-run target and ending their innings at 245.
This loss has significantly affected India’s WTC points percentage (PCT), dropping from 68.06 to 62.82. While India currently holds the top spot in the WTC points table, the defeat opens the door for Australia, who sit in second place with a PCT of 62.50.
To secure a spot in the WTC final, India must win at least four of their remaining six test matches. The remaining fixtures include a single match against New Zealand followed by a five-match series against Australia, all to be played on Australian soil.
This presents a significant challenge for the Indian team, as winning against Australia in their own backyard is a daunting task. However, if India manages to win three test matches against Australia and draw one, their PCT would reach 65.79, enough to qualify for the final.
The focus now shifts to the remaining matches, as India will need to perform at their best to overcome the current setback and stay on track for the WTC title.
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