Picture credit- Debasis Sen
Shamik Chakrabarty in Guwahati
India run the risk of slipping further in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) points table if they lose the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati. Before the start of this game, they were placed fourth with percentage points (PCT) of 54.17. In case they lose here, India might drop to fifth with a PCT, 48.18.
The PCT is calculated by points won divided by points contested multiplied by hundred. The ongoing Test is India’s ninth in the current cycle, which means that so far they have contested for a total of 108 points. Each Test in the WTC is valued at 12 points. Six and four points are allotted to a tie and a draw respectively, while a defeat doesn’t give a side any points. As far as the second Test against South Africa is concerned, only two results are realistically possible from here – the visitors winning it and completing a whitewash or a draw, in which case India would lose the two-match series.
India have nine more Tests left in the current WTC cycle – two each in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and a five-match home series against Australia. The Aussies are currently leading the WTC charts with a PCT of 100 – played four, won four. A victory here will see South Africa consolidate their position at No. 2. The reigning champions currently have a PCT of 66.67. Sri Lanka are in the third place with the same PCT, but they have played a match less.
Can India resurrect their WTC campaign? How will the BCCI react to another home series defeat (after New Zealand) in 12-odd months? The next few days could be interesting.
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