Published: Mar 01, 2021, 07:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 28, 2021, 06:26 PM (IST)
With a sensational 10-wicket win over England in the day-night third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – India knocked England out of contention from the ICC World Test Championship final in June. The win also propelled India to the top of World Test Championship standings. Courtesy the win, Kohli’s men have further strengthened their grip in the World Test Championship points table with a better percentage of 71 and 490 points in 16 matches.
Meanwhile, England, who are now 2-1 down in the four-match series, are out of the race for a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship after losing the third Test in Ahmedabad. Joe Root and Co. needed to win the four-match series 3-1 versus India to play the June 18-22 final. New Zealand are assured of a place in the final with 70 percentage points.
India now have to either win or draw the fourth and final Test against England, starting March 4 in Ahmedabad to claim the right to take on New Zealand at the historic Lord’s cricket ground. The BlackCaps have already qualified and are placed second in the latest list.
If India lose the final Test then Australia, who are in third place with 69.2 percentage points, will sneak in to make the final.
Meanwhile, England have dropped to 64.1 percentage points on the points table, which is now led by India with 71 percentage points
India top the table 👏
They now need to win or draw the last Test to book a place in the #WTC21 final 👀#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/FQcBTw6dj6
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2021
Before the thumping win at Motera inside two days, India were second in the WTC points table.
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was released from the Test squad ahead of the fourth Test against England which begins in the Narendra Modi Stadium on Ahmedabad on March 4.
Bumrah requested the BCCI to be released on personal grounds and the board obliged.
“Jasprit Bumrah made a request to BCCI to be released from India’s squad ahead of the fourth Test owing to personal reasons. Accordingly, the fast bowler has been released and he will not be available for selection for the fourth Test,” said BCCI in a release.
