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South Africa made a strong statement at the start of their Bangladesh tour, claiming a comprehensive 7-wicket win in the first Test in Dhaka. The Proteas finished the match within four days, displaying dominance over the hosts. This significant result has not only boosted South Africa’s chances in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings but also tightened the competition, making India’s path to the WTC final more challenging.
Changes in WTC standings after South Africa’s win
The win has helped South Africa move up to fourth in the WTC points table, intensifying the race for a top-two finish. India, currently leading with a PCT (points percentage) of 68.06%, now face greater pressure to secure their spot in the final. The competition has grown tougher, and the margin for error has decreased, with South Africa back in the race for a spot at the summit clash.
India’s narrow path and the urgency to win
India still holds the top spot but needs to secure at least four wins and one draw from their seven remaining matches to ensure a place in the WTC final without relying on other results. This would elevate their PCT to 65.79%, which would likely guarantee a final berth. However, if they only manage four wins without any draws, their PCT will drop to 64.04%, opening the door for other teams like South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka to leapfrog them.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Verreynne power South Africa to a dominant win over Bangladesh on Day 4 of the 1st Test
South Africa’s comeback and Australia’s challenges
South Africa’s goal was to win five out of their six remaining Tests, and their victory against Bangladesh was an essential first step. If they can continue this winning streak and clinch five more victories, they will likely secure a top-two spot. Even if they fall short and win four out of five, their chances remain alive, although they will depend on the outcomes of matches involving India, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
Australia, sitting second with a PCT of 62.50%, also have their work cut out. They need to aim for at least four wins and a draw from their remaining matches to maintain their position in the race. Any slip-ups could see them drop below India and possibly fall behind South Africa, depending on upcoming results.
Sri Lanka: A possible dark horse
Sri Lanka, currently in third place with a PCT of 55.56%, are still in the hunt for a spot in the WTC final. To stand a realistic chance, they must string together a series of victories that could boost their PCT to over 67%. However, for Sri Lanka to achieve this, they would need to win against teams like Australia and South Africa, which could indirectly favor India by lowering their rivals’ points tallies.
