India makes it to the final of the WTC after New Zealand beats Sri Lanka at Christchurch

Digital Desk: India has qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, where they will face Australia for the world's largest reward in the format. Their participation in the final was assured after New Zealand won by two wickets off the final ball of their opening Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. 

The WTC final match had been scheduled on Monday, watching the scores of both Test matches - in Ahmedabad and Christchurch - being equally important. If Sri Lanka had won, they would have remained in the race if India had not won in Ahmedabad, but with Kane Williamson hitting an unbeaten 121 and Daryl Mitchell scoring a quick 86-ball 81, New Zealand pulled off a win that didn't look possible for the longest time, off the very last ball of the game. The result eliminated Sri Lanka from contention for the WTC final. 

Following their defeat in Christchurch, Sri Lanka will only gain 52.78 points if they win the next Test. Even if India loses the Ahmedabad Test, that will be lower than India's 56.94. If they draw, as appears likely, India would finish on 58.80 points. Even if they lose in Ahmedabad, Australia has already qualified with a percentage of 64.91. 

In the current WTC season, only Australia and India have won at least twice as many Tests as they have lost (in Tests which counted towards the WTC). Australia has an 11-3 win-loss record so far, including series victories over England, West Indies, South Africa (at home), and Pakistan (away). They also drew (1-1) in Sri Lanka, with the only series loss coming in India (assuming a draw or a defeat in Ahmedabad).

India is 10-5 in this round, with series wins at home against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Australia (if they win or draw in Ahmedabad) and away against Bangladesh. They drew 2-2 in England before falling 2-1 in South Africa. 

The WTC title chase will begin on June 7 at The Oval in London.