What happens if WTC Final ends in a draw?

With the position India are in, a win seems a distant dream. However, a draw seems a good deal for the Indians even if Australia enforce a follow-on.

Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma pose alongside WTC Trophy (Image via ICC Twitter)

The second edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final is underway in England, at The Oval, between India and Australia. Pat Cummins-led team accepted India’s invitation to bat first and put on a massive score in the first innings. Australia scored 469/10 on the back of centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith. Alex Carey and David Warner’s 40s also helped Australia’s cause.

On the other hand, it was another shambolic batting show from the Indian top order. The Rohit Sharma-led team lost four wickets for 71 runs and it was all panic in the Indian camp. However, Ajinkya Rahane (29*) and Ravindra Jadeja (48) formed a partnership for the fifth wicket and kept Australia devoid of wickets for a while. But Nathan Lyon found a way to dismiss Jadeja.

Nevertheless, India are still in the hunt and will be looking to save the match if not win it. India ended Day 2’s play at 151/5 and are still trailing by 318 runs. Now, as Rahane and KS Bharat walk out to bat on Day 3, their aim will be to bat as long as possible while also scoring the runs. Scoring close to Australia’s first-inning total will help India end the game in a draw. But how will that benefit India?

Also Read: “End this torture”- India’s top-order failure in WTC Final draws criticism from fans

How will a draw help India in WTC Final?

wtc trophy — WTC Trophy (Image via Twitter)

With the position India are in, a win seems a distant dream. However, a draw seems a good deal for the Indians even if Australia enforce a follow-on. In case the WTC Final ends in a draw, the trophy will be shared between India and Australia. The International Cricket Council (ICC) cleared the rules while announcing the first edition of the WTC Final.

ICC said announcing the playing conditions, “If the match is drawn, tied, or abandoned, the teams shall be declared joint winners of the ICC World Test Championship.” For those wondering what is a tie, “The result of the match shall be a Tie when all innings have been completed and the scores are equal.”