This loss will now hurt India's chances.
Rohit Sharma and Co suffered a historic loss at the hands of New Zealand earlier today, which ended India’s near 12-year unbeaten run in Tests at home.
The Men in Blue succumbed in the decisive IND vs NZ 2nd Test and with that, lost the three-match series with one more game still left to go.
The defeat will now hurt India’s chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC Final) next year, although they still sit at the top of the points table.
India remain on top of the WTC points table with 62.82 points percentage (PCT) after 13 matches (98 points). Australia currently holds second place with a points percentage of 62.50, totaling at 90 points. Before their recent second Test loss, India’s PCT stood at 68.06. Despite retaining the No. 1 position, their lead over Australia has become quite slim.
Previously in fifth place, New Zealand moved up to fourth spot ollowing their recent victory, now holding a points percentage of 50.
India play one more Test against New Zealand which will be followed by the much-awaited five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
To secure a spot in the WTC final independently of other teams’ results, India needs to win four of their remaining six matches.
If India draws one Test and wins the other five, their PCT will rise to 71.05. Winning all remaining Tests would strengthen their position further, achieving a PCT of 74.56, though this outcome is challenging.
Winning at least two matches keeps India in the race, but they’d then be reliant on other match results. To maintain a PCT of 60 or above—a target considered relatively safe—India would need to win two Tests and draw the remaining four.
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