Mon Dec 30 09:45:19 UTC 2024: ## India’s WTC Final Hopes Hang by a Thread After Melbourne Loss
**Sydney, Australia:** India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2025 have been severely hampered following a crushing 184-run defeat to Australia in the third Test in Melbourne. South Africa’s victory over Pakistan secured their place in the final. India’s only path to the final now hinges on a victory in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, coupled with an unlikely outcome in the Sri Lanka-Australia series.
Even with a win in Sydney, India would need Australia to lose both Tests against Sri Lanka (a 0-2 series defeat). Any other result would see Australia qualify for the final alongside South Africa, eliminating India. A draw in the final Test, combined with an Australian 2-1 series win and a Sri Lankan 2-0 victory over Australia, would see both India and Australia eliminated, with Sri Lanka advancing.
South Africa’s qualification marks a historic achievement. Their victory over Pakistan cemented their top-two position, securing their place in the WTC final at Lord’s next year. Their consistent performance throughout the cycle, including a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka at home, propelled them to the top of the WTC standings. They achieved seven wins out of eleven Tests played in the current cycle.
First Piper 