Indian Cricket team’s woes against South Africa in the Test format continue as they lost the Centurion Tets by an innings & 32 runs. The massive loss has affected India’s position on the WTC Points Table as they now find themselves on the fifth spot. India’s batting order faced a stern challenge from Proteas bowlers. Despite a century from Rahul the team managed to post just 245 runs. Rabada showcased his prowess with a five-wicket haul, well-supported by Nandre Burger and Marco Jansen.
South Africa’s response was emphatic as Elgar’s 185 & Jansen’s 84 powered them to a massive 408 runs total. Bumrah led the Indian bowling attack by scalping four wickets. But that wasn’t enough to restrict the South Africans from scoring runs. Facing a massive lead India couldn’t step up in the second inning & were wrapped for just 131 runs. Kohli fought valiantly with 76, but Nandre Burger’s four-wicket haul, along with contributions from Rabada and Marco Jansen, sealed India’s fate.
WTC 2023-25 Points Table Updated
The massive loss had a serious effect on India’s position on the Points Table as they have now dropped to the fifth spot eventually. With 100% win percentage in 12 matches & 1 series win the South African team is leading the Points table. They could attain such a good mark after outclassing India in the first Test.
Pakistan then occupied the second spot on the Points Table with 61.11% in 22 matches & 2 series wins. Even after suffering a loss in the first Test of the ongoing Test series against Australia, they are occupying the second spot with a 61.11% win percentage. Meanwhile, New Zealand & Bangladesh occupy the third spot on the table with 50% in 12 matches with one series loss each.
India thereby occupies the fifth spot on the WTC Points table after suffering a huge defeat at the hands of South Africa. With a 44.44% winning percentage India’s defeat against Proteas bring them down to fifth position. While Australia’s 41.67% winning percentage with three series wins occupies the sixth spot on the Points table.
The Road Map for India in WTC 2023-2025
Team India will aim to forget the mistakes of the past & concentrate on upcoming matches with the WTC 2023-2025 cycle in consideration. From now on India couldn’t afford to lose any of their Test fixtures if they aim to move up on the Points Table. Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid will formulate a strategy to bounce back & win the remaining matches of the ongoing South Africa vs India Test Series.
Can India bounce back & win the final match of the two-match test series or they will suffer another setback by losing the second match as well? For the answers, we have to wait till 3rd January when the second Test will be played.
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