South Africa may not reach WTC final 2027, Sri Lanka have better chance: Aakash Chopra

South Africa may not reach WTC final 2027, Sri Lanka have better chance: Aakash Chopra. (Source:X/Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels Sri Lanka have a better chance at qualifying for the final of the 2025-27 cycle of the World Test Championship because of their schedule. The Lankans got their current WTC campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 win against Bangladesh.

With two of Sri Lanka’s three away tours being against West Indies and Pakistan, Chopra feels that Sri Lanka could dominate their opponents.

“Sri Lanka flatter to deceive. Their home series are against India, South Africa and Bangladesh. Their schedule is excellent because their away tours are to New Zealand, the West Indies and Pakistan. You should do well in the West Indies and Pakistan,” stated Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.

Chopra also forecasted Sri Lanka to be of formidable adversary for India, South Africa and Bangladesh at home.

“Even if they get stuck in the two away matches in New Zealand, they have India, South Africa and Bangladesh at home. It is not a bad draw at all. Sri Lanka actually have decent chances. I feel Sri Lanka’s chances of qualifying are better than South Africa’s,” observed Chopra.

Despite acknowledging Bangladesh’s track record at home, the cricketer-turned-commentator predicted the worst for them in terms of their schedule.

“I won’t even talk about Bangladesh because you don’t reach at all. You don’t even come in the list. People start looking at getting points when they play against Bangladesh, especially when Bangladesh are touring. Bangladesh trouble people at home for sure,” he commented.

Chopra expected Bangladesh to get thumped by Australia and South Africa while touring them.

“Their away series are against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. They will host England, the West Indies and Pakistan. They can trouble England, Pakistan and the West Indies. They might compete against Sri Lanka (they have lost the series 1-0). They will get hammered in Australia and South Africa. They might not come close to qualification again,” reasoned Chopra.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh finished sixth and seventh in the 2023/25 installment with a points percentage of 38.46% and 31.25%, respectively. The Proteas emerged as the champions by defeating Australia in the final at Lord’s.

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