India and Australia are locking horns in the fourth and last of the four-match Test series at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, Australia are playing under the captaincy of stand-in skipper Steve Smith. He is leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins owing to the tragedy in the latter’s family.
Returning to the cricket, this ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy is crucial for Team India to make their way to the final Test Championship 2023. Currently, India is leading the series by a margin of 2-1 after losing the third Test of the series in Indore against Australia.
Meanwhile, winning the ongoing Ahmedabad Test against the Aussies is also all-important for India. With said that, here we’ll have a look at all possible scenarios for India to qualify for the final of the second edition of this coveted red-ball cricket championship.
Here’s a look at scenarios for India to qualify for Test Championship 2023
If India wins against Australia 3-1:
In the ongoing last red-ball clash against Australia, if Rohit Sharma’s men manage to win the match; and seal the series by a margin of 3-1 then India will qualify for the final of the championship having a win with the optimum margin.
If New Zealand beats Sri Lanka:
If Australia and India play a draw in the Ahmedabad Test; the fate of the Indian team will rely on the result of the ongoing two-match Test series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in New Zealand. If the Kiwis manage to outplay Sri Lanka by a margin of 2-0 in the series, India’s chances of making it to the final will increase.
If India and Australia end in 2-2
Fortunately, if Steve Smith’s Australia continues their winning run from the Indore Test to the last clash in Ahmedabad; the chances and luck of Team India will again rely on the result of New Zealand vs Sri Lanka. In that scenario, India would have wished for Sri Lanka not to win the series anyway.
If New Zealand and Sri Lanka end in 1-1
If India wins the series by 2-1 followed by a draw of 1-1 between New Zealand and Sri Lanka; it will also make it possible for India to enter into the final of the Test Championship 2023.
