December 8, 2024: Australia’s dominant 10-wicket victory over India in the second Test at Adelaide Oval had significant implications on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Following the loss, Australia surged to the top of the WTC rankings, while India slipped to third place. This defeat marked a tough blow for India, as they were unable to bounce back after a crushing 295-run loss in the first Test at Perth, leaving the series tied 1-1.
The Adelaide win was particularly significant for Australia, as it extended their perfect record in day/night Tests at this venue. With eight wins from as many matches, Adelaide remains an impenetrable fortress for the Aussies in the pink-ball format. Overall, Australia has now won 12 of 13 day/night Tests, further solidifying their dominance in this specific format of the game.
For Indian captain Rohit Sharma, the defeat also meant his fourth consecutive loss as Test captain, which added pressure on his leadership. Despite strong performances in limited-overs formats, Rohit’s captaincy in Tests has faced challenges, and this latest loss underscored the struggles India has had under his leadership in the longer format.
The defeat at Adelaide was a wake-up call for India, who will need to regroup quickly ahead of the next Test, especially with the series now level. With Australia climbing to the top of the WTC standings, India will be eager to bounce back and restore momentum in the final two Tests of the series. Rohit Sharma, as well as his team, will need to reflect on their performances, learn from their mistakes, and come out with renewed focus in the upcoming matches to reclaim their standing in the WTC and win the series.
