World Test Championship scenarios: England out, India just a step away from berth in final

Team India registered a thumping 10-wicket victory against England in the third Test of the series, and wrapped up the five-day affair in just two days. 

Joe Root’s men were bowled out for 112 in the first innings and 81 in the second. Although India ran into some trouble early on Day 2, with the English skipper and Jack Leach running a riot with the ball, powered by Axar Patel’s spell, Virat Kohli and Co. steamrolled the visitors. 

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Patel picked a total of 11 wickets in the game.

With India’s win, the permutation and combination regarding the qualification chances in the World Test Championship finals have simplified to some extent. 

Till now, only New Zealand have fixed their spot in the finals. England’s loss have knocked them out of contention and catapulted India to touching distance of the final at Lord’s.

As things stand, in the fourth and final Test of the series against England, India will need to squeeze out just a draw to seal a spot in the finals. 

Meanwhile, the only other team in contention for the ultimate spot is Australia. The Kangaroos have a slim chance of sneaking into the WTC finals, if their arch-rivals England can salvage a victory against India in the upcoming Test.

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The Australian Cricket Board decided to give the tour to South Africa a miss owing to the ongoing pandemic that narrowed down their chances of qualifying for the final.

So the two-year-long captivating event will all boil down to one match, when India takes on England at the newly renamed Narendra Modi Stadium.