After a crushing 113-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the second Test in Pune, India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final have taken a major hit. It was the first time India had been beaten at home by New Zealand in a Test series, and this loss also resulted in a drop in India's WTC points percentage to 62.82, giving them a narrow lead over Australia. With other teams like New Zealand and Pakistan achieving big wins in their respective Tests, the race for the top spot in the WTC is intensifying.
India's Hopes of World Test Championship Final Hit by New Zealand Defeat
India's aspirations of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have suffered a significant setback following their heavy defeat to New Zealand in the second Test in Pune. It marked India's first home Test series loss to New Zealand and resulted in a dip in their WTC points percentage to 62.82.
Prior to the series, India boasted a dominant position in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 75.00. However, their disappointing performance against the Kiwis has opened the door for other teams to challenge their supremacy.
New Zealand's comprehensive victory has propelled them into contention for the WTC final, while Pakistan and Australia have also recorded notable wins in their recent Test matches. This has intensified the competition for the top spot in the standings, with several teams still in the running for a place in the title decider.
Background of the World Test Championship
The World Test Championship was launched in 2019 as a way to elevate the status and importance of Test cricket. It is a two-year cycle in which the top nine Test-playing nations compete in a league format. Teams earn points based on their performance in Test matches, with the top two teams qualifying for the final.
The inaugural WTC cycle was won by New Zealand, who defeated India in the final at Southampton in 2021. The current cycle began in 2021 and will conclude with the final in June 2023.
Top 5 FAQs Related to the World Test Championship
1. What are the qualifying criteria for the World Test Championship final? The top two teams in the WTC standings based on points percentage will qualify for the final.
2. When and where will the World Test Championship final be held? The final will be played from June 7-11, 2023, at The Oval in London, England.
3. Which teams are currently in contention for a place in the final? India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa are among the teams currently in the top half of the WTC standings.
4. What is the format of the World Test Championship final? The final will be a single match, played over a maximum of six days.
5. Who won the last World Test Championship final? New Zealand defeated India in the 2021 WTC final.
Manchester City's struggles continue as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton, extending their winless streak to 13 games. The team was hit with injuries to Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish, leading to a lack of depth on the bench. Despite their need for reinforcements, manager Pep Guardiola is focused on signing players who can contribute to the club long-term, rather than just for a quick fix.
The fourth Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is in full swing, with the visitors looking to capitalize on their brilliant performance on day one. In the early part of day two, Jasprit Bumrah takes his first wicket of the day, dismissing Steve Smith who had already scored a half-century. However, Mitchell Starc's resilient batting keeps Australia afloat, as they look to mount a comeback against India's strong bowling attack. Stay tuned to get live updates of this exciting match.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley condemns physical altercation between Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas during Day 1 of the fourth Test. While Kohli was charged and fined, Hockley praised Konstas for handling the situation with maturity beyond his years. The incident sheds light on the intense competition and high stakes in the ongoing series.
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy lauds goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk for his performance in the team's 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield. Despite the defeat, Nistelrooy notes the excellent performance of Stolarczyk, who made his Premier League debut in the match. Available only to UK viewers, the video also features other highlights and reactions from the match, including a win for Liverpool.
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for deliberately making physical contact with Australian batsman Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The incident, which occurred on the second day of the test match, sparked a heated exchange between the players and drew criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Kohli has accepted the sanctions imposed by the match referee.
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas were involved in a heated altercation during the 4th Test match between India and Australia. The incident occurred when Kohli bumped into Konstas while crossing the pitch, leading to a heated exchange of words. While Konstas downplayed the incident as accidental, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting suggests that Kohli may face disciplinary action for instigating the confrontation.
Despite being defending league champions, Manchester City has fallen into a spiral of defeats, while Everton has remained unbeaten in their last three games. Can the Blues pull off a surprising win at the Etihad Stadium, where they haven't won since 2010? With Everton's strong defense and Manchester City's struggles, the match is shaping up to be a thrilling one. Read the verdict on Jordan Pickford's penalty save, which earned Everton a valuable point, and how they have been disrupting the title hopes of top teams like Chelsea and Arsenal.
Sports South Africa's fast bowlers take control as they dismiss Pakistan for just 211 on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test South Africa's opening day of the first Test against Pakistan was filled with exciting performances and record-breaking achievements. From the debut of fast-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch to captain Shan Masood's struggles at the top of the order, the hosts quickly took control of the match. However, it was Proteas fast bowler Dane Paterson who stole the show with a memorable spell, picking up five wickets for just 61 runs. Despite a promising partnership between Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan, South Africa managed to bowl out the visitors for just 211, setting themselves up for a strong position going into Day 2.
Zimbabwe's middle-order batter Sean Williams showcased his experience and prowess on the first day of the Test match against Afghanistan, remaining unbeaten on 145 runs. Needing just seven more runs to surpass his career-best score, Williams formed crucial partnerships with Kaitano, Myers, and captain Ervine to help Zimbabwe post a formidable total of 363 for four. This comes as a positive development for the hosts, who have struggled with low white-ball totals in recent series losses.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been fined and given a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the fourth Test match against Australia. The altercation occurred between Kohli and 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas during the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day. Although Kohli accepted the sanctions, the incident has caused tension between the two teams.