Who would have picked this after India got blown away for 36 (as an innings), in the first test - and then their best player Kohli goes home.
Then all the injuries and go into this game with a 2nd string bowling lineup. Test cricket at it's very best.
Come on the Proteas.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/road-to-wtc-fin...
If India win
Australia will drop to 69.2 and will need 89 points from the series against South Africa to go past New Zealand. That can only happen if they win at least two Tests and draw the third, in which case they will get 93 points from the series. Had Australia not dropped those four points for slow over-rate in Melbourne, they would have been on 70 even with a defeat. In that case, the runs-per-wicket ratio would have come into play (since teams have played an unequal number of series, the series wins isn't being considered in this cycle); currently, Australia's ratio is 1.42 while New Zealand's is 1.28.
India will move up to 71.67 with a win and will need 80 more points against England to top New Zealand. They can achieve that with a 2-0 series scoreline in the four Tests.
England's win in Galle has brought them into the conversation as well, but for them to go past New Zealand, they will need to win the second Test in Sri Lanka, and beat India 3-0.