Former Indian cricket head coach Rahul Dravid believes India still has a chance to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 final, but the team will have to navigate difficult conditions and maintain consistent performances in its remaining matches.
India is currently fifth in the WTC points table and needs to reach the top two to qualify for the final. Dravid said the team is slightly behind in the race but has not been eliminated, and its quality means its chances cannot be ruled out.
Speaking to JioStar, Dravid said he wants India to reach the WTC final. He also pointed to the team's positive start against Sri Lanka as an important first step in its campaign.
The Shubman Gill-led Indian team began its Test series against Sri Lanka with a 165-run victory in Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. India has also produced a b performance in the second Test.
Dravid said the start against Sri Lanka is important, but it is only the first stage of India's WTC campaign. The team will need to maintain similar consistency in the difficult series ahead to secure a place in the final.
India's next major challenge will be a two-Test series in New Zealand. Dravid said playing in New Zealand is always difficult, particularly for several young Indian players who will experience the conditions there for the first time.
Conditions offering swing and seam movement could test the technique and patience of India's batters. The team will therefore need balanced performances from both its batting and bowling units.
Dravid also highlighted India's lack of experience. He said India will miss experienced players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara on the New Zealand tour. These players were part of India's Test team on its previous tour of New Zealand.
The young players will now face the challenge of proving themselves in overseas conditions. Dravid expressed hope that the players remain fit and avoid injuries because the upcoming matches will be important for India's WTC campaign.
After the New Zealand tour, India will play a five-Test series against Australia at home from January 2027. Dravid believes this series will also be highly competitive.
According to Dravid, Australian players will be very motivated to perform well in India. Australia's current generation has not yet won a Test series in India, giving its players additional motivation to change that record this time.
