Mumbai: Having reached the World Test Championship final twice in the past, the Indian cricket team currently sits at the fifth position in the points table. To secure a spot in the ultimate title clash, the national side will need to win a majority of their remaining fixtures. Former head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed that making it to the final for a third time is going to be far from a straightforward task for the squad.
The Real Test Awaits on New Zealand Tour
The upcoming WTC final next year will feature the top two teams in the standings. Before locking horns in a five-match home Test series against Australia starting January 2027, the Indian team is scheduled to play two Test matches in New Zealand. This comprehensive tour will also feature five One Day Internationals and an equal number of T20 matches against the hosts. Speaking to Jiostar, Rahul Dravid, who serves as a team owner in the European T20 Premier League, shared his perspective on the team's prospects.
Dravid stated that he remains optimistic about India's chances of making it to the WTC final. He noted that if the team manages to qualify despite their current standing, it would be a remarkable achievement. He added that the Indian side is exceptionally talented and can never be written off at any stage, pointing out that a strong start against Sri Lanka marks a very good first step in the right campaign.
Absence of Senior Legends Will Be Felt
Discussing the tour of New Zealand scheduled for October, Dravid pointed out that the absence of retired veterans like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane will be deeply felt during the two Test matches. He explained that playing in New Zealand on their home turf has historically been a formidable challenge because the home side presents fierce competition. Since many young Indian players lack adequate experience playing in typical New Zealand conditions, handling those challenges will prove to be a massive test.
Home Series Against Australia Poses Equal Threat
The former captain further cautioned that the upcoming home series against Australia will by no means be a walk in the park either. The visiting squad features players who are deeply driven to perform exceptionally well in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy slated for January. Dravid remarked that the contest against Australia will be intensely thrilling, noting that this particular generation of Australian cricketers has never tasted a series victory on Indian soil and is therefore fiercely determined to change that record.
