'India Have Fallen Behind': Rahul Dravid's Big WTC Reality Check

Eight Checks stay for India of their race to enter the World Take a look at Championship ultimate. In these matches, the Shubman Gill-led facet wants round six wins. It isn’t an excellent place to be in, however India nonetheless have an opportunity. Former head coach Rahul Dravid says India have barely “fallen behind” within the race to qualify for the World Take a look at Championship ultimate and, despite the fact that the efficiency in Sri Lanka proper now’s encouraging, it won’t be straightforward for the staff to get previous New Zealand throughout an upcoming collection.

At present positioned fifth within the factors desk, two-time finalists India are locked in an uphill battle to win nearly all of their remaining matches within the World Take a look at Championship 2025-2027 and transfer up.

With the highest two groups slated to play within the ultimate subsequent 12 months, India, who’re ranked fifth behind Bangladesh, will play two away Checks in New Zealand earlier than taking over Australia in a five-Take a look at collection at residence from January 2027. India may also play 5 ODIs and as many T20Is in opposition to the Kiwis.

“I am hoping they do. It will be an awesome run if India can qualify for the WTC ultimate from right here,” Dravid, a staff proprietor within the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), informed JioStar when requested if India would be capable of make the summit conflict from right here.

“They’ve fallen behind somewhat bit, however the type of high quality that the Indian staff has, you are not going to put in writing them off at any stage. They began off effectively in opposition to Sri Lanka, in order that’s an excellent first step,” he mentioned.

India lead the two-match collection in opposition to Sri Lanka 1-0 and have the higher hand within the second Take a look at following a stable batting efficiency.

Speaking concerning the New Zealand tour in October, Dravid mentioned the expertise of retired seniors equivalent to Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara can be missed within the two Checks.

“(Enjoying in opposition to) New Zealand away (is) at all times a problem. (They’re a) robust staff, New Zealand, to play away from residence. Numerous the younger Indian boys haven’t performed in these situations, in order that’s going to be a giant problem,” he mentioned.

“Hopefully, they’ll preserve the fellows match and never have a number of accidents over the following few months. We’re lacking the expertise of Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma), Ajinkya Rahane and (Cheteshwar) Pujara, these sorts of fellows who’ve most likely been there the final time India went. In order that will probably be an fascinating collection as effectively,” Dravid added.

The previous India captain mentioned even the visiting Australian staff would have gamers determined to do effectively within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy come January.

“Australia will probably be actually thrilling. Numerous their gamers will probably be very eager to do effectively in India. That is a technology of really nice Australian gamers, an awesome Australian staff that has not gained in India. So that they’ll be eager to try this,” Dravid mentioned.