After the 76-run defeat by South Africa, Team India’s path to the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2026 has become difficult. Now India will have to win both the matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe. Qualification in case of a win will depend on NRR.
Team India Semifinal Scenario in T20 World Cup: After the 76-run defeat against South Africa in its first Super-8 match played in Ahmedabad, the path of Team India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, to reach the semi-finals has become difficult. Due to this defeat, India’s position in the points table has weakened and now it has become very important to win the future matches.
Road to semi-finals: What is the equation before India?
After this defeat, India will now have to win both its remaining matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe at any cost, so that the hopes of reaching the semi-finals remain strong. If India wins a match, its position will depend on the results of other matches and the Net Run Rate (NRR).
Equation 1: What if India wins both the matches?
If Team India wins both its remaining matches, it will have 4 points from 2 matches. Normally this many points would be enough for the semi-finals. However, the situation will become difficult when two other teams also have 4-4 points. This is possible if South Africa wins only one of its remaining matches and the winner of the West Indies vs Zimbabwe match beats South Africa. In such a situation, India’s reaching the semi-finals will depend on the Net Run Rate (NRR).
Equation 2: What if India wins only one match?
If India wins just one of its remaining two matches, it will have to hope that South Africa will win all the remaining matches. Also, India will have to beat the winner of the match between West Indies and Zimbabwe. In this situation, India, West Indies and Zimbabwe can have 2 points each. Then the decision of the semi-finals will completely depend on the Net Run Rate (NRR).
Other important matches of Super-8
February 23: West Indies vs Zimbabwe – Mumbai
26 February: South Africa vs West Indies – Ahmedabad
26 February: India vs Zimbabwe – Chennai
March 1: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Delhi
March 1: India vs West Indies – Kolkata
Big score for South Africa thanks to David Miller and Brewis
Batting first, South Africa scored 187 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. David Miller played important innings of 63 runs and Dewald Brewis played 45 runs. For India, Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly and took 3 wickets and spent only 15 runs. Despite this, the team was not successful in stopping South Africa from making a big score.
Team India limited to 111 runs
Chasing the target of 188 runs, the Indian team looked under pressure from the very beginning. The batsmen never looked in rhythm in the run chase. Marco Jensen of South Africa broke the back of Indian batting by taking 4 wickets. The entire team was all out for 111 runs.