The Indian cricket team’s path to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final became more complicated after their third Test against Australia ended in a draw in Brisbane on Wednesday. The match, plagued by rain delays and bad light, was called off just after the final session on Day 5, with both captains and the umpires agreeing to end the game. This result has made India’s route to the WTC Final more challenging, as South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Australia are also in the race for qualification.
India’s chances of reaching the WTC Final are still alive, but their task is tough. If India wins both of their remaining matches, they will secure their place in the Final, regardless of the outcomes of other series. A 2-1 series win for India would still see them qualify, provided Sri Lanka beats Australia 1-0 or the series ends in a 1-1 draw.
However, if the series ends 2-2, with both India and Australia winning one match each in the upcoming encounters, the situation becomes more complicated. In this case, Sri Lanka would need to win their series against Australia 2-0 to help India’s cause, assuming Pakistan loses at least one Test against South Africa. If India and Australia finish the series 2-2, and Australia wins both of their matches against Sri Lanka, India can still qualify if Pakistan defeats South Africa 2-0.
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The rain-affected third Test ended with India at 8/0 in their chase of 275, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) and KL Rahul (4) at the crease when bad light and rain forced an early tea break. Australia had declared their second innings at 89/7, giving India just over one session to chase the target.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s standout bowler, taking 3/18 in six overs, supported well by Mohammed Siraj (2/35 in 7 overs) and Akash Deep (2/28). Captain Pat Cummins surprised everyone by declaring the innings after the 18th over, sensing that a result was still possible with more than 50 overs remaining in the final session.
Earlier, India had been bowled out for 260 in response to Australia’s 445. Resuming the day at 252/9, India added just 8 runs in 24 balls, with Akash Deep being stumped off Travis Head’s bowling in the 79th over, giving Australia a commanding 185-run lead.