South Africa’s strong performance in the ongoing Test against Bangladesh has positioned them as a serious contender for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. After bowling Bangladesh out for just 106 runs in their first innings, the South African team secured a 140/6 score by the end of the day’s play. They now aim to stretch their lead and move closer to victory, which could dramatically affect the WTC points table.
South Africa’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh began on Monday, and they have already dominated the first Test. If they manage to win this match, it could significantly boost their WTC final qualification chances.
South Africa’s Road to the WTC Final
The Bangladesh tour is just the beginning of South Africa’s crucial WTC matches. The team is set to play two more series at home, against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, each consisting of two Test matches. This gives South Africa a total of six Test matches before the WTC final. A strong performance in these matches could catapult them into the top two spots, overtaking India and Australia.
If South Africa wins five of their upcoming six Tests, they could surpass both India and Australia in the WTC standings. Even four wins could be enough for them to make it to the final, depending on other teams’ performances.
India’s Position in the WTC Table
As of now, India leads the WTC points table with 98 points and a winning percentage of 68.06%. Australia follows in second place with a 62.50% winning percentage, while Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and England occupy the next three spots.
While India and Australia seem to have the upper hand, South Africa’s upcoming home series gives them an advantage over other contenders like Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and England. Four out of South Africa’s six upcoming Test matches will be played at home, which increases their chances of winning and shaking up the standings.
The Equation for India to Stay on Top
For India to remain in the top spot and secure their place in the WTC final, they will need to win crucial upcoming Test matches. They have two Tests remaining against New Zealand and three more against Australia. If India can win five out of these seven Tests, they are likely to maintain their position at the top of the WTC table.
However, if India manages to win only four of the seven matches and South Africa wins five of their six Tests, the WTC final equation could change, with South Africa moving ahead of India.
The Path Ahead
The WTC final, scheduled to take place in England in June next year, remains wide open with several teams still in contention. South Africa’s dominant performance against Bangladesh could turn the tide in their favor, but India, Australia, and other teams will also be fighting hard to secure their spots.
