New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka in 1st Test resulting in India qualifying for the WTC 2023 Final.
Team India qualified for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC 2023) final after New Zealand recorded a dramatic win by 2 wickets against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Christchurch.
India needed to win the series against Australia 3-1 for direct qualification, but New Zealand's victory resulted in their qualification despite the Ahmedabad Test ending in a draw on Monday (March 13).
New Zealand ended the hopes of Sri Lanka reaching the WTC 2023 final with a thrilling last-ball win in the first test, which ensured India’s qualification for the final.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t think Rohit Sharma and Co. need to thank New Zealand, as they have played outstanding cricket to reach the summit clash of the WTC.
Gavaskar told India Today: “I don't think India owe New Zealand anything. India have played outstanding cricket over the years to qualify, to be the No.2 team, whatever you might say.”
He added, “New Zealand won, fine, it's good for New Zealand cricket, but I don't think Indian cricket owes New Zealand cricket any thank you or anything of that sort. Because India have played quite outstanding cricket over the last two years since the 2021 World Test Championship final and therefore, they deserve to be in the finals on their own and not with anybody's help.”
Notably, India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth consecutive time after the hosts won the four-match Test series with a 2-1 margin against Australia, with the fourth and final Test ending in a draw on Monday in Ahmedabad.