WTC 2021-23: Qualification scenarios for India after drawn Sydney Test

The third and final Test between Australia and South Africa ended in a stalemate as the Proteas compiled a defiant batting performance to avoid the embarrassment of a series whitewash. The result means that South Africa remains in contention for a spot in the WTC final while Australia still needs a victory in the upcoming Test series against India to seal their final spot.

The result of the Australia-South Africa series has ensured that India, who are the other contenders for a WTC final spot, have their fate in their own hands. A series victory with a margin of 3-1 or 3-0 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will see them play the WTC final for a second successive time. 

Given India's dominance in home conditions, the aforementioned result seems more than likely, however, Australia have been the pacesetters in the current WTC cycle and might prove to be a tough prospect for the Asian giants. India will still be in the driver's seat if they win just two matches of the BGT, but they will need a helping hand from New Zealand, who will need to either draw or win one of their two Tests against Sri Lanka in March later this year.

Sri Lanka and South Africa could spoil the party for India

India's chances of making it to the final will take a severe hit if they fail to win the Test series against Australia. However, even if they lose the upcoming series 2-1, they can still qualify for the WTC final but will need a few results to go their way. They will qualify if the West Indies either win or draw one of their two Test matches against the Proteas and New Zealand wins one Test against Sri Lanka.

The recently concluded Test series between Australia and South Africa has almost extinguished the chances of the Proteas of making it to the final of the WTC. But they are still in with an outside chance along with Sri Lanka, who will be eager to pounce on any slip from Rohit Sharma's Indian team.

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