Gambhir, Rohit's spirits soar as India's WTC final dreams get a big lift following NZ's blunder

The World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle is nearing its conclusion, with multiple teams vying for a spot in the final match scheduled to be held at Lord's Cricket Ground in June 2025. Teams such as India, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand are currently in contention to secure a place in the final showdown and compete for the prestigious WTC mace.

India who suffered a 0-3 defeat at home against New Zealand seemed to be in an uphill battle to make it to the summit clash, however, the recent few days have changed it all around. Under stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, India first defeated Australia in Perth by 295 runs to increase their points percentage to above 60 in the WTC standings.

Regular captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir have received another shot in the arm after New Zealand was penalised for a slow over-rate in the first Test of the three-match series against England in Christchurch.

Both New Zealand and England have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate in the first Test. Both sides have been docked three WTC competition points. The Kiwis and the Three Lions have also been fined 15 per cent of their match fees.

Both Tom Latham and Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth official Kim Cotton levelled the charges.

As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short.

Earlier, New Zealand's chances of making it to the WTC final suffered a huge blow after the hosts faced an eight-wicket loss against England in Christchurch. The BlackCaps now need to win their remaining two Tests and hope for other results to go their way.

Coming back to India, Rohit Sharma and Co need to win the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 4-0 to make it to the WTC final without depending on other results.

India (PCT 61.11)

South Africa (PCT 59.25)

Australia (PCT 57.69)

Sri Lanka (PCT 50.00)

New Zealand (PCT 47.92)

England (PCT 42.50)

Pakistan (PCT 33.33)

West Indies (PCT 26.67)

Bangladesh (PCT 25.00)