India Might Still Qualify For WTC Finals Even If England Wins The 4th Test

Cricket Image for India Might Still Qualify For WTC Finals Even If England Win The 4th Test (Indian Cricket Team (Image Source: Twitter))

India's chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship(WTC) finals might still be intact even if England manages to win the 4th test in Ahmedabad. 

According to a report in Sydney Herald, the ICC is looking over a complaint against Cricket Australia(CA) made by Cricket South Africa(CSA) after the former postponed the scheduled test tour due to covid-19.

CSA lodged a formal complaint against CA demanding financial compensation and deduction in WTC points for Australia. The report suggests that if ICC decides to deduct points from Australia then they would be eliminated from the race of WTC finals which will result in India having a clear road to the Lord's. 

India is currently looking to at least draw their 4th test against England to win the series 2-1 and confirm their place in the WTC finals. If India loses, then Australia would be confirmed as the second finalists after New Zealand. However, the ICC has stepped in between Australia and a chance of booking their flights to London. 

ICC has given CA a deadline to inform them whether the matter should be resolved with good faith negotiations. If Australia decides otherwise, then the matter will be transferred to an independent panel, which will then determine the fate. 

There is a chance that the panel might award South Africa full 120 points of the three-match test series or allow both teams to find an alternative date to complete the series before the current future tours programme ends in 2023.