After suffering an early setback to their semi-final chances at Women's T20 World Cup 2024, India bounced back with two crucial wins in Group A. While the victory over Pakistan still raised eyebrows with regards to the batting pace, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. truly made amends with an 82-run thrashing of Sri Lanka. (Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
A 58-run loss to New Zealand meant India's net run rate took a beating, and the narrow win over Pakistan did not do much to alter that. But the huge victory margin over the Lankans took India's net run rate (NRR) from -1.217 to +0.576.
However, a nine-run loss to Australia got it down to +0.322. The NRR could play a decisive role in India's passage to the knockout round of the marquee event.
Let us look at the various qualification scenarios after India's defeat to Australia in Sharjah.
How India Can Qualify For Semi-Finals: Scenarios Explained
Things have become clearer after New Zealand's eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Now, India have to beat Australia and New Zealand have to win against Pakistan to make their cases for the semis.
If India Lose To Australia
A defeat to Australia might not necessarily knock India out. Harmanpreet's side could still qualify with four points, given Pakistan beat New Zealand in match 19 on Monday. This would only be possible if India's NRR is superior to both sides. Currently, India are marginally ahead of Kiwis (0.282) and Pakistan (-0.488) in net run rate.
The margins by not more than 53 runs if they bat first, and not more than 9.1 overs remaining if they chase (Taking into assumption the first innings score is 150 in both cases)
However, if NZ win, they are through. Despite the loss to Australia, India move to second position with a better NRR than NZ.
