After a shocking 3-0 loss in their home Test series against New Zealand, India’s chances of reaching the WTC Final in 2025 have become very slim. This is India’s first home series defeat in 12 years. It is also the first time a visiting team has whitewashed India in a 3-match Test series. The last time India suffered a whitewash in Tests was in 2000, when South Africa beat them in a 2-match series. Before this series, India was at the top of the WTC points table and needed to win just 4 more Test matches to qualify for the final. However, the heavy defeat has dropped India to second place and made their path to the final much harder. 

Now, India will travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they will play 5 Test matches. To have a chance at qualifying for the final, India must win at least four of these matches. Given the current form of the Indian team, it is difficult to predict that they will be able to beat the mighty Aussies on their home turf. India has managed to win in Australia twice before, but this time, the task seems almost impossible. However, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood believes that the defeat against New Zealand may have awakened a sleeping giant. As we all know, a wounded Indians are a more dangerous team, India. 

BGT 2024 Schedule

• 1^st Test 22-26 November, Perth 

• 2^nd Test 6-10 December, Adelaide (Day Night Test) 

• 3^rd Test 14-18 December, Brisbane 

• 4^th Test 26-30 December, Melbourne (Boxing Day Test) 

• 5^th Test 3-7 January, Sydney 

How India will qualify for the final of WTC 2025

Here is a breakdown of the scenarios that will determine whether India qualifies for the WTC 2025 final based on their performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia: 

4-0 or 5-0 Win for India 

If India manages to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline, they will automatically qualify for the WTC 2025 final. 

3-1, 3-0, or 4-1 Win for India 

If India beats Australia 3-1, 3-0, or 4-1, and England avoids a whitewash in their three-match series against New Zealand, India will finish in the top two and secure a spot in the WTC final. 

2-0 Win for India 

If India wins the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-0 and England wins at least one Test against New Zealand (in November-December), India will qualify for the WTC 2025 final. 

3-2 Win for India 

If India wins the series 3-2, they will need England to win at least one Test against New Zealand, and Sri Lanka must draw one Test in their two-match series against Australia next year to qualify for the WTC final. 

2-1, 1-1, or 1-0 Win for India 

If India wins the series with a scoreline of 2-1, 1-1, or 1-0, then for qualification, England must avoid defeat in two Tests against New Zealand, and Sri Lanka must draw at least one Test against Australia. 

2-2 Draw 

If the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ends in a 2-2 draw, India can still qualify for the WTC final. Only if Sri Lanka wins their Test series against Australia, and New Zealand wins only one Test out of their three against England. 

2-3 Defeat for India 

If India loses the series 2-3, qualification will depend on results from other teams. India will need Sri Lanka and South Africa to lose at least two of their remaining four matches, and New Zealand should only win one of their three Tests against England. 

1-2, 1-3, 0-1 Defeat or 0-0 Draw for India 

If India loses 1-2, 1-3, or 0-1, or if the series ends in a 0-0 draw, India can still qualify if: 

• England wins the series against New Zealand 

• Pakistan beats South Africa 2-0 

• Australia beats Sri Lanka 2-0 

• The South Africa-Sri Lanka series ends 1-1 

1-4, 0-2, or 0-3 Defeat for India 

If India loses 1-4, 0-2, or 0-3, they will only qualify if:  

• England whitewashes New Zealand (3-0) 

• Pakistan beats South Africa 2-0 

• Australia beats Sri Lanka 2-0 

• The South Africa-Sri Lanka series ends 1-1 

0-4 or 0-5 Defeat for India 

If India loses the series 0-4 or 0-5, they will be eliminated from the race for the WTC 2025 final. 

India’s road to the WTC final has become more complicated following their recent defeat to New Zealand. Depending on their performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. And the results from other series, they still have a slim chance to qualify for the 2025 final.