L-R: Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill, and Sitanshu Kotak. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: Bangladesh's defeat to Australia in the second Test in Mackay has given India a small but significant boost in the race for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Bangladesh had stunned Australia in the opening Test in Darwin to secure their first-ever Test win Down Under, but Mitchell Starc's 10-wicket match haul inspired the hosts to an innings-and-51-run victory in the second Test on Sunday. The result not only allowed Australia to level the series 1-1 but also cost Bangladesh valuable points in the WTC standings. India, currently fifth in the nine-team table, can now move above Bangladesh and reclaim fourth place by beating Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo.
Bangladesh's loss opens door for India
Bangladesh remain fourth despite the defeat, but their points percentage (PCT) has dropped sharply from 66.67 after their Darwin victory to 55.56. They now have 50 points from six matches, with three wins, two defeats and one draw. India are just behind them with 64 points and a PCT of 53.33 from 10 matches. Shubman Gill's side have five wins, four defeats and one draw. The equation is straightforward for India: a victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo will take them past Bangladesh and into fourth place. Australia strengthened their position at the top with 96 points and an 80 PCT from 10 matches, while South Africa are second with a 75 PCT and New Zealand third with 72.22. Sri Lanka, India's current opponents, are sixth with a PCT of 33.33. England, West Indies and Pakistan occupy the next three positions. India's bigger challenge, however, is that they need to continue winning consistently to stay in contention for the top two positions that ultimately determine the finalists.
Bangladesh make ranking history despite defeat
Bangladesh's Test campaign has still produced a landmark achievement. Despite losing the second Test, they climbed three places to No.6 in the latest ICC Test rankings — their highest-ever position. "Of course (reaching No. 6) is good news," Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said after the Mackay defeat. "I am just hearing about it. To reach No 6 in the Test ranking is a huge achievement. It would have been better if we could have played better cricket in this Test match." Shanto also called for Bangladesh to play more frequently in Australia after their first Test series there in 23 years. "We are here after 23 years (first Test series in Australia since 2003). It's not easy to compete in this condition against this quality of team. If we are able to come here consistently, then the players can get an idea of playing here. They will have more experience playing in Australia. They can adjust to this kind of condition and play good cricket," he said.
"It's hard for the players. Probably 90% of the players haven't played here. They don't know how to adjust, how to cope with this kind of condition, and this kind of bowling attack. My request is that we want to play here. We want to play similar kind of conditions consistently, not after 23 or 25 years," he added.
