Mumbai: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed serious doubts about India’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 Final, stating that only a “miracle” can take the team through after their recent 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa.
South Africa clinched the series in emphatic fashion, registering a massive 408-run victory in Guwahati, their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. The result also handed India their fourth loss of the ongoing WTC cycle, pushing them down to fifth in the points table with a 48.15% points percentage.
India now have only nine Tests left in the cycle and will not play another red-ball fixture until their tour of Sri Lanka in August 2026. Their remaining schedule includes an away series against New Zealand and a challenging five-Test home series against Australia in 2027.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said he finds it difficult to see India making the top two.
“We’re currently fifth in the WTC standings, and I don’t believe we’ll make it to the final. If we qualify, it will be a miracle,” he said.
Chopra highlighted that while a 5-0 clean sweep over Australia at home would drastically improve India’s points tally, such a result is “highly unrealistic.”
“We have Tests in Sri Lanka, in New Zealand, and then five at home against Australia. Winning all five against Australia seems almost impossible. With less than 50 percent of the points so far, it’s not looking great for us,” he added.
Following the series win in India, South Africa have surged to second place in the WTC standings with 75% points. Defending champions Australia remain dominant at the top with a flawless 100% points percentage from their first four matches.
Sri Lanka sit at third with 66.67%, followed by Pakistan with 50%. For India, winning the majority of their remaining fixtures is now essential to stay in contention.
If they fail to qualify, it will be the second successive WTC cycle in which India miss out on the final.
