Things are getting tight with just a 15 per cent gap between India and Australia at the top of the ICC World Test Championship rankings, and their chances of repeating the title challenge in 2023 remains a distinct possibility. Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand are vying for the top two spots in the rankings and qualification for the one-off Test at Lord’s next year.

A look at the state of the game with the championship concluded:

First – India – 62.82 percent of possible points

Remaining series: New Zealand (home, one Test), Australia (away, five Tests)

Best possible ending: 74.56 percent.

The two-time World Test Championship runners-up looked good for a place in next year’s final, but successive errors at home against New Zealand left the door open to opposing sides.

While Rohit Sharma’s team still maintains a narrow lead at the top of the standings, in the event of another defeat in the third Test against the Black Caps, they will need to travel to Australia next month and win at least four of their matches Down Under to secure qualification. According to ICC.

Whatever happens against New Zealand in Mumbai, the five-match series against Australia at the end of the year will be crucial for India and their chances of reaching their third consecutive World Test Championship final.

Second – Australia – 62.50 percent of possible points

Remaining series: India (home, five Tests), Sri Lanka (away, two Tests)

Best possible ending: 76.32 percent

Australia, winners of the last World Test Championship, are on track to reach the final for the second consecutive year, but Pat Cummins’ team will need to win at least four of the remaining seven Tests to retain their title in 2023.

The only advantage Australia have over India is that they play two Tests in Sri Lanka next year; This means they could theoretically draw 2-2 with Rohit Sharma’s side and remain in contention for a place in the final ahead of their trip to Asia.

But first things first for Australia, who have a poor record against India at home and are keen to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in over a decade.

Third – Sri Lanka – 55.56 percent of possible points

Remaining Series: South Africa (away, two Tests), Australia (home, two Tests)

Best Possible Finish: 69.23%

The stunning victory over England in the third Test in England means Sri Lanka can go on to qualify for the World Test Championship Final with three more wins from the remaining four Tests.

Their task will be difficult with two Tests scheduled to be held in South Africa at the end of November and a two-match series at home against reigning champions Australia in 2025.

If Sri Lanka can secure a victory in South Africa, it could lead to a grandstand finish on home soil, with the top two places potentially being decided in the final series of the cycle.

Fourth – New Zealand – 50 percent of possible points

Remaining series: India (away, one Test), England (home, three Tests)

Best possible ending: 64.29%

Winning a series in India for the first time has given New Zealand hope of a second World Test Championship title, but they still have a lot of work to do if they want to secure a top-two spot in the rankings.

The Black Caps will likely need to win all four remaining Tests to qualify for the final, meaning they will have to complete series sweeps over India (where they have already won two Tests on the trot) and England. we have to do this.

It’s not impossible, but it will be difficult for the Kiwis to advance.

Fifth – South Africa – 47.62 percent of possible points

Remaining series: Bangladesh (away, one Test), Sri Lanka (home, two Tests), Pakistan (home, two Tests)

Best possible ending: 69.44 percent

The first win in the subcontinent in more than 10 years has given South Africa hope of reaching next year’s World Test Championship final, but they will likely need to repeat the feat in the second Test against Bangladesh and then win three of the four contests. on home soil at the end of the year.

The two-match home series against Sri Lanka at the end of November will be crucial for the Proteas as a series sweep there will boost their chances of reaching the final and put an end to any hopes the island nation had. Reaching the title decider.

South Africa pose a real threat to the top-flight teams given they have four more matches at home, but securing a second consecutive victory in Bangladesh will also be crucial to their hopes.

Sixth – England – 40.79 percent of possible points

Remaining series: New Zealand (away, three Tests)

Best possible ending: 48.86 percent

Back-to-back defeats in Pakistan have seen England drop out of the race for a place in next year’s final, while Ben Stokes’ side have just three more Tests left this cycle.

They head to New Zealand for a three-match series against the Black Caps and will look to end the cycle on a high note with a series win away from home.

Seventh – Pakistan – 33.33 percent of possible points

Remaining Series: South Africa (away, two Tests), West Indies (home, two Tests)

Best Possible Finish: 52.38 percent

Pakistan won back-to-back Tests under the watchful eye of new coach Jason Gillespie, but remained out of contention to reach the final with a total of six teams ahead of them in the standings.

While Pakistan could still win the remaining four Tests and finish with a high percentage of 52.38 per cent, it is unlikely to be a top-two spot in the rankings.

Eighth – Bangladesh – 30.56 percent of possible points

Remaining Series: South Africa (home, one Test), West Indies (away, two Tests)

Best Possible Finish: 47.92 percent

South Africa’s recent defeat at home hurt Bangladesh’s chances of reaching next year’s final; There are only three Tests left for the Asian side this cycle.

They could still win those three matches and finish with a percentage of 47.92, but that wouldn’t be enough to secure a place in the first World Test Championship final.

Ninth – West Indies – 18.52 per cent of possible points

Remaining Series: Bangladesh (home, two matches), Pakistan (away, two matches)

Best Possible Finish: 43.59 percent

Apart from the moment of victory against Australia in Brisbane in early 2024, it has been a memorable second World Test Championship cycle for the West Indies.

The Caribbean men dropped 20 of a possible 24 points on home soil against India to start the campaign, losing the first Test in Australia by 10 wickets before an improbable win at the Gabba in January.

Kraigg Brathwaite’s men failed to achieve the same success in England; They lost all three matches heavily, then dropped 20 points in the home series against South Africa.

The West Indies will face Pakistan early in the new year to round out their campaign, following a home series in Bangladesh at the end of November.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is syndicated.)