Australia defeated India by nine wickets on Friday, completing the third Test in less than two days and securing their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The setback in Nagpur has hurt India’s chances of reaching the WTC final.
India were bowled out for 163 in their second innings, giving Australia a target of just 76 runs to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after being thrashed in the previous two matches in three days.
One of the key players in Australia’s victory was seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who took eight wickets in India’s second innings on day two of the contest at Holkar Stadium.
This is only India’s third Test defeat at home in the last decade. India did well to restrict Australia to 197 runs after being bowled out for just 109 runs in their opening innings, giving up an 88-run advantage. Lyon weaved a web around the Indian batters in their second essay, though, and returned fantastic numbers of 8-64. The Indian batters likewise failed to put up a fight. India leads the four-match series 2-1 following victories in Nagpur and New Delhi.
Australia bounced back in the four-match series in Indore, with Steve Smith replacing Pat Cummins after being down 2-0 in the opening two Test matches. Even though the hosts have retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the visitors have a chance to make it 2-2 in Ahmedabad.
India’s loss in Nagpur has hampered its path to the World Test Championship final. India must now defeat Australia in the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad for Australia to advance to the World Cup final, which will take place at the Oval the first week of June. However, a defeat or even a draw would force Team India to rely on New Zealand for qualification, taking control of their own destiny from them. Sri Lanka is the only other side that may qualify for the World Team Championship final at the cost of India. If India loses or draws the Ahmedabad Test, New Zealand should win or draw at least one of the two Tests against Sri Lanka.
In this circumstance, Sri Lanka would be allowed to proceed. Therefore the ideal scenario for India is to win the series 3-1 and advance to the final without assistance. Even if India is unable to do so, they can rest comfortably knowing that New Zealand has a solid home record, having recently held England to a 1-1 draw. It would not be easy for Sri Lanka to win 2-0, especially given their recent Test performances.
Australia will undoubtedly enjoy this victory, which will bolster their confidence significantly ahead of the fourth and final Test, which will be contested in Ahmedabad. India still has a 2-1 series advantage.
