Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Team India has done remarkably well for their semifinal chances in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia by winning the all-important clash against Bangladesh. However, Men in Blue have not yet sealed the berth in the top four.

Pakistan’s lop-sided victory over South Africa has kept the semifinals qualification equation wide open. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa are still in the fray for the semifinals berths. Under this circumstance, if India register victory against Zimbabwe in their last Super 12 match, the Men in Blue are assured of the semifinal spot. But, if the match is washed out due to rain, the equation gets even tighter.

Rain has largely played spoilsport in the ongoing mega event washing out multiple matches. Though the rain fury hasn’t been as deadly in Group 2, it has seen some important matches of Group 1 being abandoned. The circumstances have led to chaotic situations from the semifinals qualification perspective.

The Men in Blue have presently six points in their kitty and they are sitting pretty at the No.1 spot in Group 2. Meanwhile, South Africa (five points) and Pakistan (four points) are lagging behind India at the No.2 and No.3 spots respectively. If India’s match against the minnow doesn’t even witness at least a 5-over-a-side contest, the two teams will share a point. In that case, India’s tally will be at seven.

Under this kind of circumstance, Team India would qualify for the semifinals. However, they will not progress as the group winners. The Proteas will get the opportunity to take the No. 1 spot in the group in such a case courtesy of a better net run rate. However, South Africa have to beat the Netherlands.

On the other hand, the winner of the Pakistan and Bangladesh match can only reach the semifinals in this situation if South Africa go down to the Netherlands. Victory by South Africa would knock both Pakistan and Bangladesh out of the tournament as both the Proteas and India would have then seven points each.
 

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