India's Path to Third-Straight WTC Final: Assessing Chances after Bangladesh Demolition in Chennai

In tough conditions under an overcast sky in Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came to India's rescue with a remarkable century partnership after a shaky start on Thursday. Ashwin, who was in sublime form, scored his second consecutive century at home and his sixth overall as India posted a competitive total of 376 in their first innings.

Jasprit Bumrah, who last played an international match in the T20 World Cup final in June, led the rout of Bangladesh with a four-fer. Despite bowling them out for 149, India did not opt to enforce a follow-on as Shubman Gill (119 not out) and Rishabh Pant (109) scored their respective emotional centuries to add to the 227-run lead. Rohit declared the second innings at 287 for four, thus setting Bangladesh a daunting target of 515. The visitors, however, crumbled under pressure for 234 on Day 4 after Ashwin picked up a record 6 for 88 to help India claim victory.

Following the emphatic win, which maintained India's flawless streak against Bangladesh in Test history, India's points percentage (PCT) increased to 71.66 with 86 points from 10 Tests. India was already leading the table before the start of the series and has extended its lead over second-placed Australia to 9.16 per cent.

The win certainly improved India's chances of making the WTC final for the third straight time, but they have yet to guarantee themselves the qualification, which requires at least four more wins in the remaining nine Tests, which includes the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur next week, a three-match home series against New Zealand next month and the Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia in December.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, who rose to the fourth spot after a historic 2-0 whitewash against Pakistan last month, dropped to the sixth position. Their PCT, too, dropped 45.83 to 39.28.