India kicked off their jam-packed 10-match Test season with a dominant performance, securing a commanding victory over Bangladesh in Chennai on Sunday. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team showcased their prowess, wrapping up the opening Test of the two-match series in just under four days. This resounding 280-run victory not only secured a 1-0 lead in the series but also cemented India’s top spot on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
This triumph propelled India’s WTC points percentage (PCT) to a commanding 71.67, accumulating 86 points from their 10 Tests. While India already held the top position prior to the series, this victory significantly widened their lead over second-placed Australia by a substantial 9.17 PCT. This win has significantly bolstered India’s prospects of reaching the WTC final for the third consecutive time.
However, securing their spot in the final still requires at least four more victories in the remaining nine Tests. This challenging road ahead includes the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur next week, followed by a three-match home series against New Zealand next month, and culminating in the highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, who enjoyed a remarkable rise to the fourth spot after a historic 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan last month, slipped to the sixth position following this defeat. Their PCT also dipped from 45.83 to 39.29. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on India’s performance in the upcoming fixtures. Each match is crucial for maintaining their stronghold at the top of the WTC table and securing a coveted spot in the finals.
