Updated WTC Points Table After India Crush Sri Lanka To Win 1st Test

India defeated Sri Lanka in 1st Test [Source: AFP]

Sri Lanka put up a brave fight, but the Shubman Gill-led Indian team was resilient enough to crush the host and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. India set a target of 372 for the home side to chase down, and the Lankan team crumbled under pressure as the visitors won the match by 165 runs.

The Indian spinners spun their web around the Sri Lankan batters, and barring a fightback from Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva, the hosts failed to deliver the goods and gave India a massive win as the visitors will head into the second Test with loads of confidence.

The victory in Galle also boosts India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC final as their PCT increased after the win, and the team remains in contention to play the final next year.

Updated WTC table: India closes gap with Bangladesh after beating Sri Lanka

(Updated WTC table)

As the updated WTC points table suggests, India has reduced the gap with Bangladesh in terms of PCT. Earlier, India had a PCT of 48.15, but a win against the Lankan Lions has increased it to 53.55.

However, India still remains fifth in the table, and just behind Bangladesh, who recently defeated Australia to stay fourth with a PCT of 66.67.

Australia, though, still remains on top of the table, followed by South Africa, and New Zealand at third. India, now, will hope to beat Sri Lanka in the second Test, and would hope for an Australian win to further close the gap with Bangladesh.

India's WTC final hopes alive with a win vs Sri Lanka

With a resounding win over Sri Lanka, the Indian team has kept their WTC final hopes alive, but the task still remains a tricky prospect.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Speaks On WTC Final As India Lurk On The 5th Spot

After the first Test, India will have to play eight more games in the current WTC cycle, with one against Sri Lanka, two against the Kiwis, and five against Australia at home.

With India tottering at fifth in the table, the Shubman Gill-led side has to win at least 6 out of 8 Tests to ensure their qualification for the WTC final. However, the qualification won’t be an easy prospect as India has a tricky away tour of New Zealand in November, and not only do they have to win 6 games, but they also need to hope that the teams above them start losing.

Sri Lanka's chances reduce to qualify for WTC final

Even before the first Test match, Sri Lanka had a difficult path ahead if they were to reach the WTC final. However, after a crushing defeat, the road to the final has become even trickier. Their remaining Tests include: One against India, followed by away series against New Zealand, and Pakistan, and a home series against South Africa.

Sri Lanka need 67 more points to reach a 60% points percentage, and for that, the side needs to win at least 6 out of their remaining seven matches

However, just to be on the safe side, the Lankan Lions might have to win  all seven matches to give themselves a solid push. Even that might not be enough if the other results don't go in their favour.

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