With this victory, Australia has earned a spot in the WTC final with a points percentage of 68.52 and 11 victories thus far in the 2021–23 cycle. Australia defeated India in the third Test on Day 3 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore by a margin of nine wickets. In the first session, the Kangaroos successfully chased down the mark of 76 thanks to Travis Head’s counterattacking innings of 49 off 53.
Australia, under the captaincy of Steve Smith, took complete control of the game on Day 1 as they bowled India out for just 109 runs in the first innings. Usman Khawaja’s outstanding 60-run effort gave them a substantial lead of 88 runs in the first innings of their response.
India needed to improve their batting performance in the second innings to set a difficult goal for Australia in the fourth innings because they were 88 runs behind. Nathan Lyon, with a superb spell of 8/64 that bunched out India on 163, ensured that none of it happened by bringing the Indian batting to its knees.
scenario for India’s WTC Final qualifying
India’s chances of qualifying for the World Tennis Championship final are in jeopardy as a result of the defeat in the third Test. With 10 wins under their belt and a points percentage of 60.29, they are ranked second in the points table. To guarantee their place in the WTC Final, India must defeat Australia in the final Test of the current series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
If they somehow manage to lose it, Sri Lanka, who is currently third in the points table with a points percentage of 53.33, will decide their fate. They will then travel to New Zealand for a two-game series beginning on March 9. The Dimuth Karunaratne-captained team will need to win both of their remaining Test matches to ensure their place in the WTC final, which will take place at the Oval in London starting on June 7.
With victories in the final two Tests (against the Kiwis), Sri Lanka will pass India for second position (should India lose the fourth Test against Australia), finishing with a points percentage of 61.11 as opposed to India’s 60.29.
Even a draw in either of the two Tests will eliminate Sri Lanka’s chances of competing in the championship game at The Oval because they will finish with a points percentage of 55.55 if they win one and draw the second Test against the Kiwis.
Thus, Sri Lanka will still need to win both of their remaining games in order to avoid being eliminated and India moving on to the WTC championship game.