'India in a tough position': Ex-cricketer sounds WTC qualification warning ahead of Sri Lanka Tests - The Times of India

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India's chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final hang heavily on the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, warning that the visitors are in a "tough position" in the race for the summit clash.India will begin their Sri Lanka tour with the opening Test on August 15. After nine matches in the current WTC cycle, India occupy fifth place in the standings with four wins and four defeats, giving them a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, sit just below them in sixth place. They have registered one win, one loss and two draws so far, with a PCT of 41.67.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted how significantly the standings could change depending on the outcome of the two-match series. He pointed out that a 2-0 defeat for India would dent their qualification hopes while boosting Sri Lanka's prospects."If we lose 2-0, we will remain at only 39 percentage points, and Sri Lanka will jump to 61 percentage points, and they will be No. 4. Sri Lanka will be in the run if they beat India 2-0. Then they have a realistic chance of going forward, or else it's a so-near-yet-so-far story for them," Chopra said.He added that a clean sweep would improve India's position, although not dramatically, while a drawn series would do little for either side."If we win this series 2-0, we will reach 57.58 percentage points. If we do a clean sweep, we will gain a little. If we draw the series 1-1, we won't gain anything because we will be at 48.48 and Sri Lanka will be at 44.44, and the positions will remain as is," he added.Chopra also underlined the difficulty of India's remaining WTC schedule. After the Sri Lanka series, India are set to travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting Australia in a five-Test contest early next year. According to Chopra, the shorter away assignments leave little room for error."Going forward, we have a two-match series in New Zealand, where it is difficult to win. Even if you lose one match, you lose 50 percentage points. It's going to be a tough one, and after that, there are five matches against Australia in India. India is in a tough position," Chopra added.India's upcoming assignments present a stern challenge. They have not won a Test series in New Zealand since the 2008-09 tour under MS Dhoni and have managed just two series victories there overall.The home series against Australia is also expected to test India after recent setbacks against SENA opposition. India were whitewashed by New Zealand and South Africa in successive home series, with the defeat to South Africa marking their first home Test series loss to the Proteas since 1999-2000. Under Temba Bavuma, South Africa also completed the rare feat of winning the ICC World Test Championship title and a Test series in India in the same year.India could also face a stiff examination in Sri Lanka, particularly against spin, an area that troubled them during their recent home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.