India need to win 4th Test in Ahmedabad to qualify for WTC final

NEW DELHI: Humbled in Indore, an outright victory in Ahmedabad will seal India's place in the World Test Championship final against Australia but if Rohit Sharma's team loses or plays a draw, its fate will depend on the outcome of the Sri Lanka-New Zealand series.

Australia by virtue of their nine-wicket win in Indore have already qualified for the grand finale at the Oval from June 7-11.

Australia are sitting atop the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points (PCT).

Percentage points are calculated when points earned by a team are divided by the points contested for.

A team earns 12 points for a win, four for a draw and six in case it's a tie.

As of today, Australia have 148 points by virtue of 11 wins and four draws from 18 matches. Playing for 216 points on offer, they have a PCT of 68.52.

Even if Australia lose the fourth and final Test against India, they would still remain on top with 64.91 PCT (148/228×100).

1/10:Australia crush India in 3rd Test, qualify for WTC final

<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>Getty Images

2/10:BIG WIN

<p>Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne held their nerve on a viciously turning Indore pitch to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory. <br /></p>PTI

3/10:LONG WAIT

<p>Indore Test win is only Australia's second Test victory in India since 2004.<br /></p>AP

4/10:IT'S 2-1 NOW

<p>After Australia were thrashed in the first two Tests inside three days, the series now stands at 2-1 to the hosts with one match remaining.<br /></p>AP

5/10:LABUSCHAGNE-HEAD SHOW

<p>Labuschagne finished on 28 not out and Head on 49, having lost opener Usman Khawaja to only the second ball of the day.<br /></p>Getty Images

6/10:MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

<p>The dogged victory secured Australia a berth in the ICC World Test Championship final in June at The Oval. <br /></p>Getty Images

7/10:BIG TASK AHEAD

<p>India will be sure of their place in the final if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.<br /></p>PTI

8/10:HIGH FIVES FOR KUHNEMANN

<p>In a low-scoring and frenetic encounter, Australia skittled India for 109 on day one with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann claiming five wickets.<br /></p>Getty Images

9/10:WHAT A COMEBACK

<p>In reply Australia made a solid start before collapsing to 197 all out before lunch on day two, their last six wickets tumbling for just 11 runs.<br /></p>Getty Images

10/10:LYON-KING

<p>Eight wickets for spinner Nathan Lyon saw India bundled out for 163 in their second innings, setting up a victory target of 76.<br /></p>Getty Images

Australia crush India in 3rd Test, qualify for WTC final

What happens to India

India's PCT is 60.29 after earning 123 points in 17 Tests (10 wins and 2 draws) so far. India have lost a few points during the course of this cycle due to slow over rate.

If India win the last Test, their PCT will go up to 62.5 with 135 points from a maximum of 216 on offer (18 Tests). They will then retain their second position and will qualify for final.

However, in case of a defeat, India's PCT will drop to 56.94 and then they will have to depend on the result of Sri Lanka's away-series against New Zealand.

In case of a draw, India's PCT will drop to 58.79 and even then they will have to wait for the result of the Sri Lanka-New Zealand series.

Ditto in case of a tie where India's PCT will be 59.72.

1/10:3rd Test: How Nathan Lyon tore the heart out of Indian batting line-up

AFP

2/10:Lyon's 2nd-best Test figures

<p>Not for the first time, Nathan Lyon tore the heart out of the Indian batting line-up earning his second-best Test figures in the process. </p>AP

3/10:Lyon took 8/64

<p>Lyon took 8/64 in India's second innings to turn the match on its head on Day 2.</p>AFP

4/10:The tumultuous Test

<p>The tumultuous Test match fell on Lyon's well-weathered fingers to bail Australia out. </p>AFP

5/10:The perfect length

<p>Lyon found that perfect length for the pitch, bowled attacking lines and bagged the wicket if one slightly turned or went with the arm. </p>AFP

6/10:​The perfect example

<p>The perfect example on Day Two of the Indore Test was the dismissal of India's wicketkeeper KS Bharat. </p>Getty Images

7/10:Defence breached

<p>The ball ripped one straight through the batter's defences by getting him to play the wrong line while thinking about possible turn. </p>PTI

8/10:Relentless spell

<p>Lyon bowled around the stumps, again relentlessly, for a majority of his spell, and let helpful pitches like the one at the Holkar Stadium do the rest.</p>AFP

9/10:Aussie spin great

<p>Lyon's bowling is a perfect reflection of the fact that he doesn't quite fit the 'flashy genius' mould of some past Aussie spinning greats. </p>AFP

10/10:​Lyon and Smith

<p>Lyon found in Smith an old and able ally as a pro-active captain who kept things interesting with restrictive fields and men in catching positions to slowly strangle India. </p>PTI

3rd Test: How Nathan Lyon tore the heart out of Indian batting line-up

How can Sri Lanka qualify

Sri Lanka's only shot at the final qualification will depend on a 2-0 victory in New Zealand which is one of the toughest away assignment for sub continental teams.

Sri Lanka's current PCT is 53.33 with 64 points from possible 120 (10 Tests).

If India happen to lose, draw or tie final Test and Sri Lanka win the series 2-0, their PCT will be 61.11 with 88 points from a maximum 144 points at stake.

But if Sri Lanka draws even one game and win 1-0, their maximum PCT will be 55.55 which will be less than what India (56.94) will have even if they lose the final Test.