Aakash Chopra believes that after being thrashed 0-2 by South Africa in the two-match Test series, India is all but out of contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final in the 2025-2027 cycle.
India has played nine Test matches in the current cycle, with five against England and two each against South Africa and the West Indies. They’ve won four, lost four, and drawn one match. Currently, the Shubman Gill-led team is ranked fifth, trailing Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. India has a percentage of 48.15, which is really worrying.
The Men in Blue won’t play the longest format until August 2026, when they visit Sri Lanka. This will be followed by another away series against New Zealand and five home Tests against Australia in 2027.
Chopra, a former Indian Test opener, believes it will be tough to whitewash past World Cup winners Australia at home.
“We are number five in the WTC table. I don’t think we will be able to qualify. If we qualify, it will be a miracle. We are going to face Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and New Zealand in New Zealand and then five matches against Australia at home. Achieving 100 percent points against Australia is next to impossible. We have less than 50 percent points, which is not a good thing,” said Chopra while speaking in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel.
Australia, South Africa progress steadily in ongoing WTC
South Africa defeated Australia earlier this year at Lord’s to win the World Test Championship for the first time. As things stand in the current cycle, these two arch-rivals are once again dominating the table.
Australia have registered four wins from as many games. Meanwhile, South Africa have three wins and one defeat so far. Australia’s percentage is 100, while the Proteas’ is 75.
Meanwhile, India and South Africa will now lock horns in a three-match ODI series, starting with the first game in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
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