How can India qualify for the World Test Championship Final if the Boxing Day Test vs Australia ends in a draw or loss

After Day 2 of the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne on Friday, most fans of the Rohit Sharma-led side would have feared the worst. However, No. 8 Nitish Kumar Reddy and No. 9 Washington Sundar rose to the challenge to give India a big chance on the third day on Saturday. India still trail Australia by 116 runs, but with two days to go, there are chances that India can salvage the Test match. It will be great considering the World Test Championship final qualifying scenario.

Currently, South Africa is no. 1 in the race for the WTC final followed by Australia and India. If India win the series 3-1, they will automatically qualify for the elite tournament final. But even if India lose or draw in the 4th Test in Melbourne, they can still qualify for the WTC final. In that case, Rohit Sharma’s men will have to look forward to the results of two Test series – South Africa vs Pakistan and Sri Lanka vs Australia.

Here are the full scenarios for India’s qualification:

Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged as the hero for India on day three of the Boxing Day Test by hitting a stunning maiden Test century to lead the hosts’ charge in front of 83,073 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Playing in only his fourth Test match, Reddy was astute in his batting – both on the front and back foot, while being solid in defence, temperament, application and composure as he teamed up with fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar , who hit a patient fifty. and became the perfect second foil.

The duo came together when India were 221/7 in the first session and stitched a crucial 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket. The flattening of the pitch also helped the duo keep Australia at bay as India ended day three with 358/9 in 116 overs and trailed by 116 runs.

With his father Mutyala holding a constant prayer to God, uncle and other family members eagerly watching from the front seats of the stands, Reddy brought up an emotional century in 171 deliveries through a towering drive off Scott Boland.

As soon as the hundred was confirmed, Reddy dropped to his knees and raised his arm upwards to look up at the sky after placing his helmet on the handle of his bat (a reference to the Baahubali movie) before soaking in the moment hit his maiden Test century in front of his family, with his father in tears and thanking God with folded hands towards the sky at an iconic venue.

Reddy also became the first Indian batter to smash a Test century in Australia after coming out to bat at number eight or lower. Nine balls after Reddy got his century, poor light and later drizzle forced both teams off the field, with the right-handed batsman holding his bat high and soaking up all the appreciation from his teammates and spectators at the MCG.