Hypothetical glory and heartbreaks of the golden era
What if the World Test Championship (WTC) had existed during the cricket-crazy 2000s? India’s memorable decade of Test cricket had both highs and lows. Hypothetically, the Men in Blue would have navigated fascinating cycles with some spectacular moments and unexpected lapses. Let us enter this other timeline and explore where India would have arrived in each WTC cycle.
During this era, India struggled to maintain consistency in Tests. A modest record of five wins, four losses, and seven draws in 16 matches would have placed India fourth, with a PCT (Points Percentage) of 45.83%.
The highlights of this hypothetical cycle would include India’s first Test series victory in the Caribbean in 35 years and Rahul Dravid’s exploits as captain. However, PAK and South Africa losses would have ended their chances of reaching the WTC final. Australia’s domination and Sri Lanka’s revival meant that the top two slots were out of reach for India.
By the late 2000s, India had begun to find a rhythm under Anil Kumble and MS Dhoni’s leadership. With a record of 10 wins, 5 defeats, and 12 draws in 27 Tests, India’s 51.85% PCT still placed them fourth. During this time, India won a historic series in England in 2007 and maintained its domestic supremacy.
Despite these successes, inconsistency overseas, notably in Australia and Sri Lanka, prevented India from reaching the final. South Africa and Sri Lanka would have faced a battle in this hypothetical WTC clash.
This cycle would see India climb to the top of the ICC Test rankings. With 10 wins, 3 defeats, and 5 draws, India’s PCT of 64.81% would place them second, trailing England. They would have advanced to their first WTC final, setting up a thrilling match against the English.
This cycle’s highlights include India’s undefeated home record. However, tight draws against Sri Lanka and South Africa at home prevented them from topping the rankings. Could India’s spin combo of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha have knocked England out in the final? We will never know.
India’s Test supremacy waned after 2011. With a PCT of 47.22% (10 wins, 10 defeats, 4 draws), India would finish fifth, failing to advance to the final. The departure of veterans like Dravid, Laxman, and Tendulkar placed India in a rebuilding mode.
A whitewash in England and another in Australia were expensive. South Africa’s golden generation, headed by Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn, would have faced Australia in the WTC final.
By this cycle, India would have reached its lowest point in the hypothetical WTC scenario. India would rank eighth with only three victories in 15 matches and a PCT of 31.11%.
The era was distinguished by Virat Kohli’s ascension and India’s battle to establish itself abroad. Losses in England, South Africa, and New Zealand overshadowed a convincing home series victory against Australia.
India’s revival under Kohli flourished during this cycle. They led the hypothetical standings with 17 wins, 2 defeats, and 6 draws for an impressive 76% PCT. This was an era of Indian domination, with significant wins in Sri Lanka and a home victory over South Africa.
India would have met Australia in the WTC final, reigniting one of the most intense rivalries. With Kohli, Ashwin, and Jadeja in top form, India would have been favourites to win their first World Test Championship crown.
This cycle would have challenged India’s resolve. With 10 wins, 7 defeats, and 3 draws, India’s 55% PCT would have equalled them with South Africa. India would beat out South Africa to go to the final against table-toppers New Zealand due to their higher away point percentage.
Virat Kohli’s team shown endurance with series victories in Australia and home sweeps of Sri Lanka and the West Indies. However, their failures in England and South Africa made the qualifying battle more competitive than anticipated. Could they have turned their fortunes against New Zealand in a hypothetical final? History implies that it would have been a thriller.
In this imaginary 2000s scenario, India would likely have played three WTC finals — 2009-2011 against England, 2015-2017 against Australia and 2017-2019 against New Zealand. While their chances against England seemed dicey, their dominance in the 2015-2017 and 2017-2019 cycle would have made them strong contenders.
