Dravid says India still in contention for WTC final despite tougher road

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid told JioStar that the team’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final remain alive, even though they have slipped to fifth place on the points table. India’s recent 1-0 lead over Sri Lanka, highlighted by a 165-run victory in Galle, provides a positive start, but Dravid emphasized the need for consistent performances in the remaining fixtures. The squad faces a demanding two-Test tour of New Zealand in October, a challenge for many young players unfamiliar with local conditions.

Additionally, the loss of experienced figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara means injury management will be crucial. After New Zealand, India will host Australia for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy beginning January 2027, where the Australians are expected to be highly motivated after recent failures in India. Dravid concluded that while the path is tougher, India’s quality should not be dismissed.