An inspired tenth-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep and regular interruptions from the rain helped India avoid a follow-on and force a draw in the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Brisbane.
On Wednesday, after the draw, India’s PCT dropped to 55.88 while Australia’s fell to 58.89 — the defending champion maintains second place in the table.
South Africa’s win over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Gqeberha helped it move up to the summit of the ICC World Test Championship standings ahead of Australia.
Rohit Sharma’s team only has two more Tests in the current cycle to stake a claim for the final next year. The other major contenders, South Africa and Australia, have another series in the pipeline, against Pakistan (H) and Sri Lanka (A) respectively.
How can India still qualify for the WTC final?
If India wins each of the remaining Tests against Australia, its PCT will rise to 60.52. Australia will fall short of that mark even if it manages a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka.
India can also finish above Australia with a win and a draw, provided Sri Lanka draws at least one of the two Tests it plays at home to Australia.
If India loses one of the remaining two Tests this series, the team will have to rely on Sri Lanka beating Australia 2-0.
South Africa can seal its place with one win in its remaining two matches. If it loses both Tests against Pakistan, India needs one only win, with the series result between Sri Lanka and Australia deciding the other finalist.