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| File Photo |
India faced a significant setback in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table after suffering a defeat against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test. The two-match Test series kicked off with South Africa defeating the Indian team by an innings and 32 runs at Centurion. In the first innings, South Africa had established a lead of 163 runs. Unfortunately, India could only manage to score 131 in their second innings, leading to a comprehensive loss.
With this defeat, India not only lost the Test series but also slipped down to the fifth position in the WTC points table. Prior to the series, India held the top spot, but the loss to South Africa pushed them down to the fifth position. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also imposed a penalty on India for slow over-rate, deducting two points. As a result, India now holds the sixth position in the WTC standings.
South Africa, on the other hand, benefited significantly from their victory, propelling them to the top of the WTC points table. The team earned 12 points with a perfect 100% record after playing just one Test match. The victory against India has placed South Africa in a strong position in the ongoing World Test Championship.
Before the series began, India was optimistic about winning their first-ever Test series in South Africa. However, the hopes were dashed as they faced a spirited performance from the South African team in both batting and bowling departments. Dean Elgar played a crucial role with a brilliant innings of 185 runs, while Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, and Marco Jansen also made significant contributions with the ball.
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| Points table - WTC, ICC file photo |
In terms of individual performances for India, KL Rahul stood out with a century, scoring 101 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, Virat Kohli top-scored with 76 runs. Despite these efforts, India couldn't overcome the strong challenge posed by the South African team.
The defeat against South Africa has had a considerable impact on India's position in the WTC points table. Before the series, India had 16 points, but with the deduction of two points due to the slow over-rate, they now have 14 points and a percentage of 38.89. Pakistan, despite losing to Australia, is placed fourth with a percentage of 61.11, while New Zealand and Bangladesh hold the third and fourth positions, respectively.
Australia's victory against Pakistan also played a role in India's current standings. Australia is now in fifth place with a percentage of 41.67, while the West Indies are in seventh place with 16.67%. England and Sri Lanka occupy the eighth and ninth positions, respectively.
The defeat in South Africa marks a significant setback for Rohit Sharma's captaincy, as the team aimed to win their first Test series in South Africa. However, the quick loss in the first Test has raised concerns and highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian batting unit against the formidable South African bowling attack.
As the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle progresses, India will need to regroup and strategize to make a strong comeback in the upcoming Test matches. The series loss has not only impacted their WTC standings but also raised questions about the team's performance in overseas conditions. The focus will now be on the team's ability to bounce back and compete at the highest level in the remaining matches of the championship.
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