“The qualification scenario is now looking a little dicey” – Aakash Chopra on India’s WTC final qualification chances after loss in IND vs NZ 2nd Test

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels India’s World Test Championship final qualification chances are looking a little dicey after their 113-run loss against New Zealand in the second Test at Pune. 

After losing the first two Test matches against the Kiwis, India’s PCT in the WTC has fallen down to 62.82. India will play six more Test matches before the WTC final and they will need to win at least four and draw one to qualify for the summit clash. Thus, India has put themselves in troubled waters after losing two home Test matches against the Kiwis.

“The pressing question is what is the WTC qualification scenario because we were on a mission domination. We thought we would win all five (home Tests) and go ahead with 100 percent points. The scenario now is that you have to win four of the remaining six matches and draw one, and that is a herculean task,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“Believe it or not, I feel the upcoming BGT (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) is going to be very difficult. We have not lost for 10 years but winning this Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be extremely tough. So the qualification scenario is now looking a little dicey, especially when you see South Africa’s home matches. That is the big one,” Chopra added.

The renowned commentator noted that the drawn Test match against the West Indies is hurting the Indian team.

“In this WTC cycle, the drawn game in the West Indies hurt us. You could have got 100 percent points there but you got only four points for that drawn game. So you got only 16 points (for the series) although there were 24 points to achieve. You lost points there,” he said.

“After that, 1-1 in South Africa, I thought that was a good result. When you play a five-match series against England, even if you lose one Test, you move ahead with 80 percent points. Of course, you lose points for slow over rate as well. Here you thought you would win all three matches and get 100 percent points, and you would be through but that’s not the case. Now you have only 33% points to gain because New Zealand have already won two matches,” Chopra observed.

The third and final Test match between India and New Zealand will be played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from November 1 onwards.