Rahul Dravid Backs India to Reach WTC Final Despite Current Standings

Rahul Dravid believes India will qualify for the World Test Championship final, despite the team’s current ranking. The former India coach voiced optimism about the Men in Blue’s prospects in the current World Cup cycle, citing the squad’s quality as a basis for confidence.

India consolidated their WTC position with a 165-run win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. The victory gave India 12 vital points, bringing their total to 64 from ten Tests and increasing their Points Percentage to 53.33. They are presently ranked fifth in the WTC standings.

The New Zealand tour provides a huge challenge.

India has seven more Tests left in the WTC cycle. The team will go to New Zealand for two Test matches in November, followed by a five-match series against Australia at home in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in January.

Dravid acknowledged India’s challenges ahead, notably the harsh circumstances in New Zealand, where the team will have a difficult assignment. The former coach underlined that many young Indian players lack experience in those situations, making the tour a serious test of their ability.

Australia series offers interesting opportunities.

India lost the previous Test series in New Zealand 2-0, making the next tour a huge task for the team. The lack of senior players from the previous campaign complicates the mission.

Dravid considered the impending Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a wonderful opportunity for India to make a significant statement in the WTC cycle.

Australia have not won a Test series in India since 2004. He believes that the Pat Cummins-led team, which has accomplished a lot over the years, will be hungry to win a series on Indian soil.

India is well positioned for the second Test in Colombo against Sri Lanka. On Day 3, the hosts trail India by 238 runs after the first innings at Stumps.