New Delhi, November 25 (IANS). In the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Perth Stadium, India registered a spectacular 295-run win against Australia on the fourth day of the first Test on Monday. With this victory, India has reached number-1 in the points table of the World Test Championship (WTC).
The 295-run win was India’s biggest win against Australia in terms of runs away from home, surpassing the 222-run win in Melbourne in 1977.
After losing 0-3 at home against New Zealand earlier this month, India needed to win at least four of the five matches of the Border-Gavaskar series to book a place in the WTC final. In this sequence, India has crossed a milestone with a spectacular victory in Perth.
India’s point percentage increased to 61.11, while Australia slipped to second place in the nine-team points table. However, the Kangaroo team is still in the race to defend its title with 57.69 PTC. India need to win three of their remaining four matches to ensure qualification for the WTC final to be held at Lord’s on June 11.
Players from India and Australia will now travel to Adelaide for the day-night pink ball Test at the Adelaide Oval, which will take place from December 6-10.
Additionally, two other teams are also in the race for a place in the final, including Sri Lanka who are third in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 55.56, after a 2-0 series win over New Zealand on home soil. Full of confidence.
Sri Lanka need three more wins from their remaining four Test matches, but their task will be difficult as two Test matches are scheduled in South Africa on November 27. There is also a two-match series against defending champions Australia at home in 2025.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are placed fourth with 54.55 PCT and will look to cement their place at Lord’s when they clash with England for a three-match series starting on November 28.
The Black Caps need a white wash against a strong England team led by Ben Stokes to make the final. The Kiwi team had earlier defeated India 3-0 in a three-match Test series on its own soil.
–IANS
AMJ/AS
