T20 World Cup: India can still qualify for T20 World Cup semifinals- Know Here the Possible Permutations

India earned its first points in the T20 World Cup 2021 after a comprehensive thrashing of Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Virat Kohli’s men thus remained in contention for the semifinals after picking themselves up from their defeats to Pakistan (by 10 wickets) and New Zealand (by 8 wickets) in Group 2.

India’s 66-run win margin helped it to push its net run-rate (NRR) from -1.609 to the positive zone (+0.073). With Pakistan having sealed the top spot already, India will have to fight it out for the second berth with Afghanistan and New Zealand.

The Kiwis, however, remain in the driver’s seat despite their lower NRR in comparison to Afghanistan which is also on four points. Williamson and Co. have two matches pending – against Namibia in Sharjah and a potential ‘knockout’ game against Afghanistan on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.

India’s remaining fixtures are slotted against Scotland and Namibia where it must fight for monumental wins to assure the possible best of six points and a healthy NRR.

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Can India reach the semi-final? Here are the permutations:

If we talk about India’s chances, they will have to win their remaining two matches with big margins as the qualification in Group 2 is most likely will come down to net run rate (NRR).

After winning against Afghanistan, India now have a positive net run rate of 0.073. For Virat and team to qualify, New Zealand need to drop points in one of their remaining two matches, either Afghanistan or Namibia, which is unlikely considering their current form.

However, a narrow 16-run win against Scotland states otherwise.

• New Zealand’s stands at +0.816. 

• Afghanistan have a net run rate of +1.481.

• India’s run rate +0.073.

The current scenario states that if India do end up winning the remaining two games and New Zealand beat Namibia but lose to Afghanistan, there could be a three-way tie at 6 points. Then the net run rate will decide which team will go through.

After winning the match against Afghanistan, Virat Kohli in the post-match presentation said, “NRR was on the back of our mind. We spoke in the team meeting that we have to focus on the chance we have [to qualify] and stay positive and hunt that chance down.”

India’s remaining fixtures

• Nov 5, India vs Scotland (Dubai)
• Nov 8, India vs Namibia (Dubai)

New Zealand’s remaining fixtures

• Nov 5, New Zealand vs Namibia (Sharjah)
• Nov 7, New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Afghanistan’s remaining fixtures

• Nov 7, New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

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