Explained: Why India Need To Clean Sweep New Zealand To Reach WTC 2025 Finals

India need to beat New Zealand, 3-0 [Source: PTI] India need to beat New Zealand, 3-0 [Source: PTI]

Just like the previous two editions of the World Test Championship (WTC), Team India are once again at the top of the points table and have a great chance of qualifying for the finals for the third successive year.

Barring a solitary loss against South Africa and England, India have done extremely well in other matches and sit comfortably at the top of the table, with just 8 matches remaining. They kick-start their final home campaign of this cycle against a struggling New Zealand side, and the Indian team will be relatively confident of inflicting a series whitewash.

The New Zealand side have struggled in Test cricket as of late and are coming into this series on the back of an embarrassing series defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. Hence, the Rohit Sharma led side will fancy their chances against the Kiwis.

At the moment, India have a winning percentage of 74.24, while the second placed Australia are well behind at the moment, with a PCT of 62.50.

The only other sides that still have a great chance of sneaking into the finals are Sri Lanka and England, but even the English side need a miracle to go through to their first-ever WTC finale.

However, despite standing at the top of the table, India need to clean sweep the Kiwis, and here's the reason.

India have a tough away tour lined up Vs Australia

After the completion of the New Zealand series, India have to face their biggest challenge in the form of Australia. The current holders of the WTC will be waiting for India, and it promises to be a riveting contest.

However winning in Australia is not that easy. Despite India winning their last two Test series, Down Under, the Rohit Sharma led side will still face an uphill challenge. If India don't win the series against the Kiwis, 3-0, then they cannot afford to lose more than two matches Vs Australia, else, they'll have to depend on other results to qualify for the finals.

Sri Lanka lurking around as well

Sri Lanka have four matches left - 2 away matches Vs South Africa and 2 home Tests Vs Australia. If the Lankan Lions win all four of their Tests, their PCT will go upto 69.23. Even South Africa are lurking around as they have 6 matches left - 2 away Vs Bangladesh, 2 home Vs Sri Lanka, and 2 home to a struggling Pakistan.

These are relatively easy fixtures and their PCT can grow upto 69.44 if they win all their matches.

Hence, anything less than five Test wins for India will downgrade their PCT to less than 69%, which will give other teams a chance to sneak through and eliminate India.