WTC Final Journey Won't Be Easy for India As Rahul Dravid Warns of Tough Tests Ahead India faces a tough road to reach the World Test Championship final as former head coach Rahul Dravid highlights major challenges in upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia. 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. What this means for you Across India: Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts can expect high-stakes matches as the Indian team battles formidable opponents in upcoming overseas and home series to secure a spot in the WTC final. Questions & Answers 1. What is the current position of the Indian team in the WTC points table? The Indian team is currently placed fifth in the World Test Championship points table. 2. Which senior players' absence will impact the team according to Rahul Dravid? Dravid noted that the absence of retired veterans like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane will be felt. 3. What matches are lined up for India's tour of New Zealand? India is scheduled to play two Test matches, five ODIs, and five T20 matches during the New Zealand tour. 4. When is the home Test series against Australia scheduled to take place? The home Test series against Australia is scheduled to be held in January. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/wtc-final-ki-rah-asan-nahi-rahul-dravid-ne-badi-chunautiyan-rakhi-21767 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.