World Test Championship scenarios: What are India's chances of qualifying for final after beating Bangladesh in Chennai?

Team India got their long Test season off to a winning start on Sunday after Rohit Sharma and Co defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs in the first Test in Chennai. The two-match Test series is part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

India were put in to bat by Bangladesh in overcast conditions in Chennai. Ravichandran Ashwin scored a magnificent century and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja scored fifties as India posted 376 in the first innings.

Also read | How India took wind out of high-flying Bangladesh’s sails

Bangladesh were all out for 149 in their first innings reply, but India did not enforce follow-on. India’s second innings witnessed something special with Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill scoring centuries as the hosts declared at 287/4.

A look at the updated WTC standings:

Bangladesh were set a target of 515, but R Ashwin caused damage with figures of 6/88 as India bowled out Bangladesh for 234. The victory means India have boosted their chances of qualifying for next year’s WTC final at Lord’s.

India’s updated WTC final chances

India remain on top of the WTC standings following their dominant win over Bangladesh. They have 71.67 per cent points (86 points), with Australia (90 points) in second place with 62.50 per cent. This means India now have a 9.17 per cent lead over Australia.

The win over Bangladesh in the first Test has strengthened India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC final for a third straight edition. India, however, need at least four more wins in their last nine Tests of the current WTC cycle. India play one more Test against Bangladesh, three Tests against New Zealand (Home) and five Tests against Australia (Away) in the current WTC cycle.

On the contrary, Bangladesh’s chances of qualifying for the WTC has been dealt a blow. The Tigers were in fourth place with 45.83 per cent points prior to this match, but after the loss, they have slipped to sixth place with 39.28 per cent. The second Test will be played in Kanpur from 27 September.