The T20 World Cup semi-final race in Group 1 has become really interesting. India became the first team from the group to enter the semi-finals as they beat Mitchell March-led Australia by 24 runs on Monday. However, the other three teams in the group are not out. The points table is as follows – India (6 points, 3 games, NRR +2.017), Australia (2 points, 3 games, NRR -0.331), Afghanistan (2 points, 2 matches, NRR -0.650), Bangladesh (0 points, 2 matches, NRR -2.489).
Now, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia can qualify for semi-finals. Following are the scenarios: 1. Afghanistan can enter the semi-finals with a win over Bangladesh. That way they will reach 4 points and be the second team from Group 1 of Super 8 to enter last four stage. 2. Australia can enter semi-finals only if Afghanistan lose to Bangladesh with a margin of fewer than 61 runs (considering the first innings total is 160) or outside 13 overs. 3. Bangladesh can enter semi-finals only if they beat Afghanistan by a big margin (by 61 runs if they score 160 or chase the target in 13 overs).
Talking about Monday’s match that Australia lost, India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma’s scintillating 41-ball 92 to beat Australia by 24 runs in their final Super Eights fixture and qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. Batting first, Rohit fired on all cylinders and struck as many as eight sixes and seven fours during his sparkling knock, which powered India to an imposing 205 for five.
In reply, Australia was restricted to 181 for seven in the stipulated 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored for Australia with 76 off 43 balls. Among Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) performed brilliantly in the middle overs, while Arshdeep Singh ended with figures of 3/37. Earlier, unperturbed by Virat Kohli’s early dismissal, Rohit went after pacer Mitchell Starc and bludgeoned him for 29 runs in his second over, setting the tone for India.
Starc, who was taken to the cleaners by Rohit, returned to dismiss the India captain and give some relief to the Australian camp. But Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 16 balls) and Shivam Dube (28 off 22) kept up the tempo with their big hits before Hardik Pandya (27 off 17) finished the India innings in style.