India eases WTC final berth after defeat to New Zealand in Bengaluru Test | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Sitting upstairs ICC World Test Championship points tableIndia suffered a setback on Sunday as they lost crucial percentage points by losing to New Zealand in the thrilling first Test in Bengaluru.
When the Kiwis won the rain-soaked contest by eight wickets, they celebrated their famous first win on Indian soil in 36 years.
With their third defeat in the 2023-2025 cycle, India (98 points) remains at the top of the rankings, but this has resulted in Rohit Sharma and Co. loosening their grip on the country WTC final position.
Before the Bengaluru Test, India had a scoring average of 74.24, which dropped to 68.06 after the loss to the Kiwis.
The loss has a significant impact on India as second-placed Australia (98 points) are on par with them in percentage terms.
India and Australia (62.50 PCT) have 8 wins and three losses in 12 matches and have drawn one Test each in this cycle.
Both teams are now at 5.56 percentage points and 8 points.
India have two more Tests against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai before embarking on a tough five-match series in Australia at the end of the year.
Sri Lanka is the other strong contender for a place in the WTC final with third place. They have 5 wins and 4 losses in 9 games and a percentage point of 55.56.
On the other hand, the historic victory helped New Zealand jump from sixth place in the WTC table to fourth place.
Tom Latham and Co. They now have 4 wins and 5 defeats in 9 games and 48 points.
The inaugural WTC champions can still fight for a place in the top two in the WTC standings as they have two games against India before hosting three games against Ben Stokes-led England.
England is in fifth place in the table with 9 wins and 8 defeats in 18 games. They also have a drawn test in their name.
South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies occupy the remaining four spots in the WTC table.