India is set to take on Australia in the final match of the group stages at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on October 13. With Only two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals, there remain talks on how India can qualify for the playoff spot.
With Sri Lanka knocked out of the tournament, India, Pakistan and New Zealand will be in contention in the playoffs. Sri Lanka lost their first three matches while Pakistan lost two out of three matches in the group stages.
The result of the INDW vs AUSW will be crucial in determining which two of the five teams from Group A progress to the semi-finals. India’s net run rate was hurt after their opening 58-run loss to New Zealand which dropped to -2.9.
It slightly improved after a six-wicket win over Pakistan and it increased even further +0.57 following a dominant 82-run victory over Sri Lanka. Even a close call loss to Australia could see India qualify as long as the damage to the NRR is minimal.
Currently, Australia stands in Top while India, New Zealand and Pakistan are in the second, third, and fourth places respectively with Sri Lanka in the last position of Group A points table.
Check out the scenarios of how India can make it to the semi-finals:
Scenario 1: India beat Australia by a huge margin
India needs to beat Australia by a huge margin in the game which will boost their net run rate and go past Australia. In such a case India will secure a semi-final entry with 6 points.
Scenario 2: India beat Australia by a small margin
If India fails to beat Australia, New Zealand should lose any one of their upcoming matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
If New Zealand wins both their games, India would have both of New Zealand’s victories should have small margins so that White Ferns’s Net Run Rate remains less than that of India.
Scenario 3: India vs Australia gets abandoned
If the India vs Australia clash gets abandoned, India will reach five points while Australia has 7 points. Hence, for India to qualify for the playoffs, New Zealand must lose one of their remaining matches.
If the White Ferns win a game and their other match gets abandoned, India’s NRR needs a higher run rate than New Zealand to enter the semi-finals.
Scenario 4: India lost to Australia
If India loses to Australia, the Harman-led side would need New Zealand to lose a match and win a match by a small gap. In such a case India will advance to the semi-final based on a better NRR than New Zealand.
The high-profile match between India and Australia women will be played on October 13 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
