After the second consecutive loss in the Super 12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup, the Indian team is in a troublesome situation. New Zealand defeated India last night and registered an easy 8-wicket win in order to strengthen their semi-final chances. India on the other hand was left with a difficult qualification scenario as a result.
India’s Qualification Scenario
The scenario for India’s qualification into the Semi-Finals is such that now Kohli & Co. are dependent on other results in order to make it into the next stage. While the chances of India’s qualification are very bleak, here are some scenarios in which Kohli’s men can make it through.
SCENARIO 1:
Pakistan vs Namibia: Pakistan wins
New Zealand vs Scotland: Scotland wins
India vs Afghanistan: India wins
New Zealand vs Namibia: Namibia wins
India vs Scotland: India wins
New Zealand vs Afghanistan: New Zealand wins
Pak vs Scotland: Doesn’t matter who wins
India vs Namibia: India wins
What’s highly unlikely in this scenario is New Zealand losing to both Scotland and Namibia. Having defeated India convincingly, the chances of the Kiwi side losing to both the Group Stage qualifiers are fairly low. Although, if it happens this way, India will qualify for the semi-finals with 6 points alongside Pakistan, while New Zealand, Afghanistan, Namibia will be restricted at 4 points each.
SCENARIO 2:
Here’s another scenario for India’s qualification, which is more likely to happen as compared to the first.
Pakistan vs Namibia: Pakistan wins
New Zealand vs Scotland: New Zealand wins
India vs Afghanistan: India wins
New Zealand vs Namibia: New Zealand wins
India vs Scotland: India wins
New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Afghanistan wins
Pakistan vs Scotland: Doesn’t matter who wins
India vs Namibia: Ind wins
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The most important match in this scenario would be the Afghanistan vs New Zealand encounter. The Indian fans are still hopeful for the Qualification of their side given Afghanistan’s good form and the fact that Afghanistan’s win will prevent New Zealand’s qualification. This scenario will leave Afghanistan, New Zealand, and India all with 3 wins each and give India an outside chance of qualification. The Net Run Rate however will be an important factor if this happens. India will have to win the remaining 3 matches with huge margins in order to keep their hopes alive in this case.