WTC Table: Bangladesh Dent India's WTC Final Hopes With Historic Win Vs Australia

Bangladesh boosted their PCT in WTC table [Source: AFP]

Bangladesh scripted history in their first Test appearance in Australia in 23 years. The Tigers registered a memorable win in the two-match series opener in Darwin, taking an unassailable 1-0 lead over the hosts. 

After posting 426 runs in the first innings, Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 284 runs in their second innings. Thus, the tourists needed only 57 runs to win and chased it inside 15 overs, securing their first Test win on Australian soil. 

Bangladesh's commendable victory in Darwin not only boosted their PCT in the WTC points table, but also dented India's WTC final hopes amid their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh near New Zealand in WTC table, Australia's PCT drastically reduced

(Updated WTC points table after BAN vs AUS 1st Test)

As the updated WTC table suggests, Australia's PCT reduced from 87.50 to 77.78 after they lost the first Test of the home series against Bangladesh. 

Thus, the battle for supremacy in the WTC standings has intensified between the Aussies and second-ranked South Africa. The result of the decider in Mackay will determine whether the Australian side finishes the series as the top-placed side in the WTC table. 

New Zealand retain their third position, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, England, Pakistan and West Indies claiming the subsequent slots in chronological sequence. 

India's WTC final hopes dashed after Bangladesh's emphatic win in Darwin

Bangladesh's PCT surged from 58.33 to 66.67, helping them take a significant lead over the fifth-ranked Indian team. 

Australia, South Africa and New Zealand are already ahead of India, and considering Bangladesh have also taken their PCT over 65, the Tigers' Test win in Darwin is a massive setback for Shubman Gill's men as they eye redemption in the Sri Lanka Tests. 

Notably, India qualified for the WTC final in 2021 and 2023, failing to win the ultimate clash on both occasions. After losing to New Zealand in the 2021 WTC final, India went down to Australia in a one-sided clash in 2023. 

The Indian team failed to qualify for the WTC final 2025 after New Zealand and South Africa whitewashed them on home soil. 

Therefore, as Shubman Gill aims to make his mark as India's Test captain by leading them to their maiden WTC title, Bangladesh's win over Australia comes as a jolt for him and his side. 

How can Bangladesh qualify for WTC final after Darwin Test win?

Placed fourth in the WTC table with a PCT of 66.67, Bangladesh are slated to face West Indies, South Africa and England across six Tests, apart from taking on Australia in the decider of the ongoing series. 

The dates for the West Indies and England home series have yet to be announced. However, if we take those two proposed series into account, then Bangladesh have seven more Tests to play in the current WTC cycle. 

If the Tigers win the decider in Mackay, their PCT will further increase to 72.22. If they go on to win all their remaining games, Bangladesh will finish the cycle with a remarkable PCT of 86.11. However, if they lose all the seven matches, their PCT will be slashed to 27.77. 

So, to qualify for their first WTC final, the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side must win as many games as possible to stay ahead of their competitors- India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in the race. 

Also Read: Which Teams Are Yet To Be Beaten By Bangladesh In Test Cricket?