Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh are in the race to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.© AFP
The race for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Group 1 has become really interesting. India became the first team from the group to enter the semi-finals by defeating Mitchell March-led Australia by 24 runs on Monday. However, the remaining three teams of the group have not been eliminated. The points table is as follows – India (6 points, 3 matches, NRR +2.017), Australia (2 points, 3 matches, 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 the semi-finals. The scenarios are as follows:
1. Afghanistan can enter the semi-finals with a win over Bangladesh. They will reach 4 points and become the second team from Group 1 of the Super 8s to enter the last four.
2. Australia can enter the semi-finals only if Afghanistan lose to Bangladesh by less than 61 runs (considering first innings total score as 160) or within 13 overs.
3. Bangladesh can enter the semi-finals only if they beat Afghanistan by a big margin (by 61 runs if they score 160 or achieve the target in 13 overs)
Talking about the match lost to Australia on Monday, India qualified for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup by defeating Australia by 24 runs in their last Super Eight match, thanks to captain Rohit Sharma's brilliant innings of 92 runs in 41 balls.
Batting first, Rohit smashed eight sixes and seven fours during his brilliant innings as India posted a mammoth 205 for five.
In reply, Australia could only score 181 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Travis Head was the top scorer for Australia by scoring 76 runs in 43 balls.
Among the Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) starred in the middle overs while Arshdeep Singh took 3/37.
Earlier, undeterred by Virat Kohli's early dismissal, Rohit thrashed pacer Mitchell Starc, smashing 29 runs in his second over to set the tone for India.
Starc, who was dismissed by Rohit, brought some relief to the Australian camp by dismissing the Indian captain.
But SuryaKumar Yadav (31 off 16 balls) and Shivam Dube (28 off 22 balls) kept the momentum going by hitting big shots, after which Hardik Pandya (27 off 17 balls) ended the Indian innings in style.
With PTI inputs
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