Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Deep Dasgupta believes it is better for Team India to forget about the WTC final qualification ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. India is currently in fifth place in the WTC points table with four wins, as many losses and one draw with a PCT of 48.15.
India has struggled in Test cricket and suffered a 2-0 loss against South Africa in 2025. Team India has been exposed while playing against spin and the Shubman Gill-led team will need to come up with a collective effort.
Meanwhile, Australia and South Africa, the previous cycle’s finalists, are currently at the top of the WTC points table, respectively at first and second place.
“I want to see much more development. Are we improving? Yes, there is inexperience, and it is a transition, but it is important to see the improvement. Infact, I am going to say something that people may not like this, but for the time being, it is better to forget about WTC Final Qualification. It is better not to talk about it. In my opinion, what we should instead focus on is, how to make the Indian Test team like the one in 2020-21, like that phase where India were winning overseas and winning home series as well,” Deep Dasgupta explained his reasoning on his YouTube channel.
The former gloveman reckons India might think of taking shortcuts if they keep pondering about the WTC final.
“If you keep thinking about the WTC Final, then you might be looking to take shortcuts. You will just look to figure out ways to win that particular match or series. It is important, don’t get me wrong, but somewhere or the other, you can also look at it from another way. We can think about how we can dominate the next WTC cycle instead. So, either we can walk now with a band-aid, or we can look to get some stitches and get some rest, and give our best with 100 percent fitness,” he continued.
The former Bengal cricketer reckons the team management and skipper Shubman Gill will be under pressure if the side doesn’t do well.
“If the team does not do well, questions will be raised against him. Everyone in the team will be questioned because we have started to lose home series after a long time now, so that pressure will be there. But all of these names know how to handle pressure and play under pressure. When there is a transition, you need to know in which direction it is heading. It began with the England series, but I am a little confused about which direction we are heading?” he said.
India will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, starting August 15.
