For the Indian team to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it must demonstrate outstanding performance in the remaining matches. Currently, the Indian team ranks fifth in the points table, making the path forward challenging.
Former head coach Rahul Dravid believes that the Indian squad is slightly behind in this race, but he is confident in the team's ability to recover. India has seven Test matches left after its tour of Sri Lanka. To secure a spot in the final, the team led by Shubman Gill needs to win at least six games.
Despite the victory over Sri Lanka, the team will need to achieve consistent wins in upcoming fixtures. India is scheduled to play two Tests in New Zealand, where conditions are always difficult, and young players will require time to adapt.
The potential absence of experienced batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane could pose a serious test for the new team during the matches in New Zealand. Furthermore, in January, the Australian team will visit India for a series of five Test matches. The Australian athletes will aim to win the series in India, as their current generation has never won a Test series in India.
Rahul Dravid expresses hope that the Indian team should not be underestimated, even despite the significant challenges and the lack of experience from senior players. He believes that if the players remain in form and execute the correct strategy, the dream of a final appearance can become a reality. Dravid expressed hope that the Indian players will deliver their best against New Zealand and Australia.
India secured a convincing victory in the first match of the two-match series against Sri Lanka in Colombo, where Indian batsmen showed excellent skill in the second Test. Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel scored a hundred each, forcing Sri Lanka into a defensive approach in the Colombo match. Nevertheless, even after winning this series, reaching the World Test Championship final will be a difficult task for India.