New Delhi: India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship Final have tightened considerably after their recent loss in Kolkata. With three defeats and a draw already in the 2025–2027 cycle, the team has secured only four wins from eight matches, placing them fourth with a points percentage of 54.17, which is well below the typical qualification range. Previous editions show that teams generally need a percentage between 64 and 68 to enter the final, leaving India with little margin for error in their remaining fixtures. They are scheduled to play South Africa at home in Guwahati, followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka, two more in New Zealand, and a five-match home series against Australia. Winning all 10 would give India a significant points boost, but even a slight dip in performance could be costly. If they win five of the 10 matches, their points percentage would drop to 51.85. Six wins would take them to 57.41, seven to 62.96, eight to 68.52, nine to 74.07 and a clean sweep to 79.63. Based on historical trends, India need at least eight victories to pass the 68 percent threshold that usually secures a top-two finish. Past cycles further highlight the challenge. In 2019–21, India and New Zealand qualified with 72.2 and 70 percent, while in 2021–23, Australia qualified with 66.7 and India with 58.8. The 2023–25 edition saw South Africa and Australia finish with 69.44 and 67.54. With a demanding away schedule combined with a long home series against Australia, India now face one of their toughest stretches of Test cricket. Their path to the final requires consistency, resilience and a near-perfect run in the months ahead.
