NEW DELHI: India's chances of sealing the second spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) table and make it to the final received a boost on Thursday when Australia thrashed South Africa by an innings and 182 to runs in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
Australia's series-clinching win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, after humiliating the Proteas inside two-days for a six-wicket victory in Brisbane, firmed up their position at the top of the WTC table, while pushing South Africa down a spot to No. 4.
With a win percentage of 78.57%, the Aussies are way ahead of second-placed India with 58.93%, followed by Sri Lanka (53.33%), who have overtaken the No. 3 spot from South Africa as their win percentage dropped to 50%.
The Pat Cummins-led Australia have five Tests left to play in the qualification period for the ongoing WTC cycle -- the third and final Test against South Africa at home and a four-Test series on their tour of India in February-March next year, which is crucial for Rohit Sharma & Co's chances to qualify for the summit clash.
India lost the inaugural WTC final to New Zealand.
India defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in their last away Test series and will next host Sri Lanka and New Zealand, respectively, for back-to-back white-ball tours. That will be followed by the four-Test home series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
