World Test Championship: India fail to reach final for first time in history
India failed to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the first time in the history of the competition. After reaching the final in 2021 and 2023, India will not be part of the final at Lord’s in June in 2025. India’s exit was confirmed after they lost the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by 6 wickets in Sydney on Sunday, January 5. | Sydney Test: Full Scorecard |
Australia, who won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 ending their 10-year-long wait for the coveted trophy, are through to the final. Australia will play a two-match Test series later this month, but the result of the series will not affect their chances.
Australia will take on South Africa in the World Test Championship final. While Australia have made it to their second successive final, South Africa will battle for the top prize in the Test format for the first time.
India needed nothing less than a win in the Sydney Test. After Rohit Sharma opted out of the series decider, India managed just 185 on the board. However, they came out all guns blazing with the ball and bowled Australia out for 181 on a Sydney pitch that helped the seamers more than ever. India were not able to deal with the excessive seam movement as they were bundled out for 157 in their second innings, setting Australia a meek target of 161.
To India’s dismay, Jasprit Bumrah, who was the leader of the bowling attack with 32 wickets in the series, was not available to bowl in their final innings due to a back injury. India fought hard, picking four wickets, but it was not enough as Australia chased down 162 with six wickets to spare and won the Test in the second session on Day 3.
