India’s recent 3-0 T20I series defeat to New Zealand has cast doubt over their World Test Championship (WTC) final prospects, making their path to qualification tougher than ever. The team now faces the daunting task of defeating Australia by a near-unattainable margin of 4-0 or 5-0 in their upcoming Test series Down Under.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar addressed this scenario on Sports Tak, stating that India’s chances of making it to the WTC final are now slim. Gavaskar explained that sweeping Australia in their home conditions is “practically not possible,” though he acknowledged that if India did pull off such a feat, he would be “over the moon.”
Gavaskar Urges Focus on Series Victory Over WTC Qualification
Instead of focusing on the WTC final, Gavaskar advised that India should prioritize winning the series in Australia by any margin. He emphasized that even a 3-1 win would be an incredible achievement, underscoring the need to rebuild confidence among fans after the recent New Zealand loss. Gavaskar added, “Don’t talk about the World Test Championship final. Just focus on trying to win the series in Australia.”
The first Test between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, marking the start of a five-match series. Despite the recent setback, India has a strong history in Australia, winning their last two Test series against the hosts. Fans and cricket experts alike will be watching to see if India can overcome the odds and emerge victorious in this crucial series.