Aakash Chopra believes that India is virtually eliminated from the competition for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the 2025–2027 cycle after losing to South Africa 0–2 in the two-match Test series.
In the current cycle, India has participated in nine Test matches, including two each against South Africa and the West Indies and five against England. They have four victories, four defeats, and one draw. The Shubman Gill-led team is currently ranked fifth, behind Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. India’s proportion of 48.15 is really alarming.
When the Men in Blue tour Sri Lanka in August 2026, they will play the longest format. This will be followed by another away series against New Zealand and five home Test matches against Australia in 2027.
Former Indian Test opener Chopra believes a clean sweep at home against former WTC champions Australia is unachievable.
In the WTC table, we are ranked number five. We will not be able to qualify, in my opinion. It will be a miracle if we qualify. After playing New Zealand in New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, we will play Australia at home for five games. It is nearly impossible to score 100 points against Australia. In a video posted to his YouTube account, Chopra stated, “We have less than 50 percent points, which is not a good thing.”
South Africa and Australia make steady gains in the ongoing WTC.
Earlier this year, South Africa won the World Test Championship for the first time at Lord’s after defeating Australia. These two bitter rivals are once again in control of the table as of the current cycle.
Out of as many games, Australia has recorded four victories. South Africa, meanwhile, has so far won three games and lost one. The Proteas’ percentage is 75, whereas Australia’s is 100.
In the meanwhile, a three-match ODI series between South Africa and India will now begin, with the opening match taking place in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30.
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