Team India Needs Consistent Wins To Stay Alive In The WTC Race

Recent Defeat Increases Pressure

Team India was under tremendous pressure following the defeat in the Kolkata Test. The team had come closer to a win but collapsed at the decisive juncture. India usually performs well at home, and yet South Africa managed to beat it. If India has to make it to the final of the current WTC cycle, each of its coming matches now assumes great significance. India has already played 8 of its 18 Tests. No other team has played as many WTC 2025–27 matches. England is second with 5 games. India has played more matches but has won only 4. It lost 3 and drew 1. Only 10 games are left.

WTC qualification still possible

The positive part is that India's qualification is still possible. From here, every match becomes important. India remains fourth in position. Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Australia are ahead of them. India's Points Percentage (PCT) is 54.17. India need to reach a PCT between 64 and 68 to qualify for the WTC final.

Upcoming Challenges

In the remaining schedule of the WTC, India will play 1 Test against South Africa, 2 against Sri Lanka, 2 against New Zealand, and 5 against Australia. Of these, India will host 6 Tests, which are 1 against South Africa and 5 against Australia. Home Tests rarely caused concern in years gone by. But recent results-a whitewash at the hands of New Zealand and a loss to South Africa in Kolkata-altered expectations. These results bring in a set of tough challenges for this team under Gill's leadership.

Required Wins for Qualification

If India wins all the remaining 10 matches, it will pick up 172 points and reach a PCT of 79.63.

  • Win 9 matches → 160 points → 74.07 PCT
  • Win 8 matches → 148 points → 68.52 PCT
  • Win 7 matches → 136 points → 62.96 PCT
  • Win 6 matches → 124 points → 57.41 PCT
  • Win 5 matches → 112 points → 51.85 PCT

According to these calculations, India need to win at least 8 out of the remaining 10 matches to remain in the race for the WTC final. In previous cycles, teams went into the final only when their PCT remained above 65.