Team India are winless in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 so far. They’ve lost both their games – first against Pakistan by 10 wickets and then versus New Zealand by eight wickets. This puts the 2007 champions’ semi-finals chances in jeopardy. India, after consecutive losses, occupies the fifth rung of the Group 2 points table with no points and a net run rate of -1.609.
The group is topped by Pakistan, who have won both their games. They look favourites to go all the way in the T20 World Cup too. Afghanistan and New Zealand are just below them in the points table for Group 2. With only two teams set to qualify from each group, India’s chances are very slim.
Now, for India to qualify for the next round, their and other teams’ results have to fall favourably. Virat Kohli and company need to win big in their remaining games – against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia.
In addition to these wins, the Men In Blue will also need New Zealand to lose at least two out of their three remaining group games, while Namibia should also lose any two of their remaining matches. If all these results go India’s way, the 2016 semi-finalists will finish tied at the second spot and they will have to bank on their net run rate.
New Zealand, on the other hand, plays Namibia, Scotland and Afghanistan. Now, it is highly unlikely that Kane Williamson and co lose two of these games. Hence, India might be more or less out of the T20 World Cup.
India’s journey in the 2021 T20 World Cup so far has been nothing short of disappointing for the team and the fans:
After winning both their warm-up games, India played arch-rivals Pakistan in their tournament opener of the T20 World Cup. Babar Azam and co defeated the men in blue by a thumping 10 wickets. It was not a result that the team and their fans would have expected.
The Indians then faced New Zealand in their second game. They lost to the Kiwis by eight wickets. India will now play Afghanistan on Wednesday. They will be focused on making a solid impact in this match and getting their net run-rate up, with an emphatic win.
It will not be easy and the chances of securing qualification for the semis are rather slim. However, if any team can deliver when the odds are stacked against them, then it has to be Team India. They have bundles of talent in this squad. All they need is the right level of performance to produce a positive result.
