"If we qualify, it will be a miracle" - Former batter's huge statement on India's chances of reaching WTC final

Former opening batter Aakash Chopra reckons that India's chances of qualifying for the final of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle are very slim. He went to the extent of stating that it will be a miracle if they qualify.

India suffered a 2-0 drubbing against South Africa in a two-match home Test series, which ended at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26. After losing the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs, they went down to the Proteas by 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati - their biggest-ever defeat by margin of runs in the format.

Looking at the WTC 2025-27 points table following the conclusion of the Guwahati Test, India are in fifth position with 52 points and 48.15 percentage points. In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on India's chances of reaching the WTC final following their 2-0 defeat at home to South Africa. He commented:

"We are number five in the WTC table. I don't think we will be able to qualify. If we qualify, it will be a miracle. We are going to face Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and New Zealand in New Zealand and then five matches against Australia at home. Achieving 100 percent points against Australia is next to impossible. We have less than 50 percent points, which is not a good thing."

India's next assignment in the ongoing WTC cycle will be a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in August 2026. Then, they will tour New Zealand for two Tests in October-November 2026. India will conclude their WTC fixtures with a five-match home series against Australia in January-February 2027.

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How does the 2025-27 WTC table look after IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test?

If we take a glance at the 2025-27 WTC table after the India vs South Africa Guwahati Test, Australia are occupying the top spot. They have 100 percentage points, with four wins from four games. Defending champions South Africa are in second place, with 75 percentage points (three wins and one loss).

Sri Lanka currently find themselves in third position, with 66.67 percentage points. They have played two matches, winning one and drawing the other. Pakistan are above India, having accumulated 50 percentage points (one win and one loss). India are followed by England (36.11), Bangladesh (16.67) and West Indies (0) in the points table, while New Zealand are yet to play a Test in the ongoing cycle.