Test Championship 2023 Final: Here's the scenario for India's qualification after embarrassing defeat in Indore Test against Australia

Finally, the charm of former skipper Steve Smith’s captaincy worked for Australia as they defeated India in the third of the four-match Test series. Although Smith was there in the capacity of a stand-in skipper owing to the absence of regular skipper Pat Cumming who had to fly back to Australia due to family commitments.

Now, Australia have managed to change the scoreline of the series from 0-2 to 1-2  in their favor. With this win, the Aussies have also qualified for the final of the Test Championship 2023. Apart from that, Indian hopes of securing a place in the title clash of this coveted tournament are still blurry as they have a lead of 2-1 in the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the moment.

With said that, here we’ll have a look at the possible scenario for India’s qualification to the final of Test Championship final; set to be played in England.

If Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends 2-2

After winning the Indore fixture against India, it would be safer to assume that Steve Smith-led Australian team might continue with their winning momentum by winning the fourth and last of the four-match Test series. But if this series ends in a scoreline of 2-2 for both teams; the chances of Sri Lanka’s qualification to the final of the Test Championship will get some bright hopes. But still, they would have to beat New Zealand by a margin of either 1-0 or 1-1 in the upcoming two-match Test series.

If Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends 2-1

Probably, in utter dismay to the Indian team; if the last Test of the series ends in a draw, Team India’s fate will rely on the result of the Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Rohit Sharma’s men will hope Sri Lanka does not whitewash Tim Southee & co. by a margin of 2-0.

If India wins Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 3-1

As a piece of delightful news for Indian cricket fans, if the hosts manage to win the final match of the Test series against the Aussies; they will definitely increase their possibilities of appearing in the title clash of the second edition of the Test Championship.

Notably, India and Australia will lock horns in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.