The Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 kicked off on October 22. 

In their opening game against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), India won a last-ball thriller by four wickets. The in-form Virat Kohli smashed 82 runs off 53 balls to help the Indian cricket team complete a daunting run chase.

Team India followed it up with a comfortable 56-run victory against the Netherlands. However, the Rohit Sharma-led outfit suffered a setback against South Africa, losing by five wickets.

With the race to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals heating up, the Indian cricket team bounced back in another nail-biting encounter against Bangladesh. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s heroics with the bat were backed up by an exceptional fielding display and good death bowling.

India face Zimbabwe in their final Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022.

Can India make the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals?

As it stands, India are the pole sitters in Super 12s Group 2 with six points from four matches. With a Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.730, India can qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 with a win against Zimbabwe. 

The victory would take the Indian cricket team to an unassailable total of eight points. Even a washed-out game, earning Team India one point, would be enough to secure safe passage in the final four.

However, a loss against Zimbabwe would take the Indian team’s fate away from its own hands.

If Pakistan, currently on four points, beat Bangladesh, an Indian defeat would mean that Babar Azam and Co. would finish above India in the Group 2 points table, thanks to their superior NRR.

There are only two ways India can face a defeat against Zimbabwe and still go through to the final four. Either, Rohit Sharma and Co. would need a Dutch miracle against South Africa or hope that Bangladesh, also currently on four points, beat Pakistan. The Bangla Tigers remain below India on NRR.

Since India play the last Super 12 game on Sunday, they will know the exact scenario required to make the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022.

 

Featured image: SURJEET YADAV / AFP