A recent weekend brought a mix of rain-soaked tension and cricketing drama as India fought to maintain its chances for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Following a disappointing couple of washed-out days during the second Test against Bangladesh, India’s path to the final seemed precarious, especially with Sri Lanka achieving a historic 2-0 series sweep against New Zealand at home.
India, who were favored to reach the WTC final for the third consecutive time, found their prospects dimming. After two days of rain at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, the likelihood of a draw grew, putting additional pressure on the Indian team. However, relief came on Tuesday as head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma celebrated a crucial Test victory, keeping India’s hopes alive.
The weather finally cleared on Monday, allowing play to resume. India’s bowlers made quick work of Bangladesh, taking the remaining seven wickets for just 126 runs. The Indian batters then scored at a breathtaking pace, amassing 285 runs for nine wickets before declaring with 45 minutes left in the day. R. Ashwin led the charge, quickly reducing Bangladesh to 26 for two.
On Tuesday, India took approximately three hours to dismiss Bangladesh for a mere 146 runs in their second innings, setting a target of 95 runs. India successfully chased down the total in just 17.2 overs, with Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing a solid fifty, marking his second consecutive half-century in the match.
Despite the challenging weekend, India remains at the top of the WTC table with a percentage of 74.24 after winning eight out of 11 matches in this cycle. To secure their place in the WTC final, India needs to clinch just three more victories from their remaining eight Test matches. A clean sweep against New Zealand, who currently sit at the bottom of the table with three wins in eight matches, would guarantee a spot in the final, regardless of the outcomes in their tour of Australia.
India’s upcoming series against New Zealand is set to take place between October 16 and November 5, with matches scheduled in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. The team will be eager to capitalize on their recent success and push towards securing a spot in the coveted final.
