Dubai: Having entered the 2021 ICC World T20 in UAE as a pre-tournament favourite, India was given a harsh reality as 10 wicket loss to arch-rivals Pakistan followed by an 8 wicket defeat to New Zealand put the “Men in Blue” in contention for an early exit from the tournament.
The format of the Super 12 stage of this World Cup states that 12 teams have been divided into two groups. Each of the six sides in Group 1 and Group 2 plays each other and by the end of the fixtures, the top teams two from each group will qualify straight to the semi-finals while the rest will get knocked out.
Incidentally, India does have a chance to qualify for the next round although it rather will largely depend on other teams results in the group instead of just the results of their fixtures While the Indian cricketing fraternity would rather have to bring their calculators out from the next fixture in Group 2 for every game instead of just their side’s matches sitting on the couch.
Also notable is that Pakistan who is on top of the table with 3 wins is most likely to enter the semi-final. Considering their form, they would most likely register victories last two matches against associates, Scotland and Namibia.
Also notable is that Pakistan who is on top of the table with 3 wins is most likely to enter the semi-final. Considering their form, they would most likely register victories last two matches against associates, Scotland and Namibia.
What does India need to reach the semi-finals?
Scenario 1:
The primary and obvious one is quite simple. India who now sits at fifth behind Pakistan, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Namibia has to win their remaining three matches, and that too by big margins to boost their Net Run Rate which is reeling at -1.609. while Afghanistan and New Zealand now enjoy a net run rate of +3.097 and + 0.765.
India will next face Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on November 3 before locking horns with Scotland in Dubai on November 5 and then with Namibia in Dubai on November 8 for their final game.
Scenario 2:
One of the associate nations must take down New Zealand which is an uphill task for those three sides although it’s quite clear Afghanistan will be the side that can spoil the party of the Kiwis given the position of them in the table while opening the door for India as well.
In that case, India, New Zealand, and Afghanistan all would be tied on six points and the side with the best Net run-rate would take the remaining spot in the group but India would also hope that Afghans don’t register a victory against the Blackcaps by a big margin which certainly boosts Mohammad Nabi’s contention ahead of the “Men in Blue” considering the obvious superior net run-rate.
Also, India does have another advantage as they will play the last fixture of Group, against Namibia to which they would come to know a few calculations and chalk out plans around that.
However, it will not be as simple as it looks. A possibility of more scenarios emerging is on the cards as well given the unpredictable nature of this tournament.
