DOHA: India booked their place at the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 on Monday after Sri Lanka’s last-over defeat against New Zealand in Christchurch and a drawn final Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
India will face Australia for the Ultimate Test at the Oval from 7 to 11 June, plus a reserve day.
“We are delighted to qualify for our second successive World Test Championship Final. We have played some outstanding cricket both home and away in the last two years,” said Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Sri Lanka needed to bowl out New Zealand on the fifth and final day and also hoped that India failed to win in Ahmedabad to remain contenders for a spot in June’s showdown.
However, a thrilling climax in Christchurch saw an inspired Kane Williamson guide the hosts to chase down 285 for victory with two wickets to spare amid dramatic scenes.
In Ahmedabad, Australia’s batting resistance frustrated the hosts on the final day, with the match ending in a draw following five days of intense battle where batters on both sides scored big in an attempt to seize the upper hand.
The draw meant the Rohit Sharma-led India won the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1, and sees them conclude their World Test Championship campaign on 58.80%, ensuring their passage through to a second successive appearance in the Ultimate Test.
Sri Lanka’s loss leaves them unable to qualify for the Final with a current tally of 48.48%. Even a victory in the second Test against New Zealand at Wellington will not be enough to see them break into the top two of WTC standings.
Australia had confirmed their qualification ten days ago thanks to their nine-wicket win in the Indore Test, and the draw helps them end the two-year Test competition in top spot.
The Wellington Test is the last fixture in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle with the Ultimate Test set to be the crowning glory for Australia or India. (ICC)
