India’s upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka is hugely crucial and will play a pivotal role in determining their chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final. India will play a total of nine Tests in the current cycle, with every match having massive significance in their hopes of finishing among the top two.
In fact, they need to win at least seven of their nine Tests to stand the chance of making it to the WTC final. Currently team India occupy fifth place in the World Test Championship standings, having recorded four victories and suffered four defeats in nine matches.
The side now has a points percentage of 48.15. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has stressed that individual ambitions must take a back seat for the larger interests of the side. Moreover, Gavaskar also expressed his belief in team India’s capabilities to outplay Sri Lanka.
"The two-match series in Sri Lanka won't be easy, as Sri Lanka at home are a formidable team. Winning both these Tests would be a good start to the new Test season, as well as give the team the impetus it needs to qualify for the WTC Final. To be able to do so requires loads of effort and also some luck but, above all, the belief that Indian cricket should be the priority and not any individual, however big a name he may be," Gavaskar wrote in Sportstar.
Sri Lanka are also in a good position, sitting on sixth position in the standings, making the upcoming series equally important for them as well. But from India’s perspective, a 2-0 victory would give Shubman Gill’s team a much-needed boost.