New Delhi:A lacklustre display against two-time finalists South Africa have put India's Women's T20 World Cup knockout chances in jeopardy on Sunday, June 21, after they would have boosted their chances of a semifinal berth. If the anticipated results come to pass at the global showpiece in England the road ahead is not an easy one as the defending ODI champions have to get past Australia in their last group game.
India squandered their chances against the Proteas side not once but several times at Old Trafford. They got off to a good start with Shafali Verma but had a tough time after not capitalising on a good momentum in their innings that ended at 158/7.
They kept the lid on the 2023 and 2024 runners-up until the 10th over, by which time the Proteas were 59/2 after 10 overs and needing another 100 in the last 60 balls. But Marizanne Kapp came out all guns blazing and ripped through the Indian bowling to fire her side to a six-wicket win with six balls to spare, leaving Indian fans wondering what might have been if Radha Yadav had taken either of two relatively straightforward opportunities offered by the Proteas veteran all-rounder.
India's road ahead is a bumpy oneIndia were in a tough group with the other two semi-final contenders, Australia and South Africa. Group A has little margin for error with so many contenders. India were unbeaten so far, tearing through comparatively weaker opposition like Pakistan and Netherlands. But they blinked in their first assignment of equals against the Proteas team.
The -led side still have plenty of chances to progress further but a fierce Australian side is waiting and, without downing the six time champions, their progress to the knockouts seems highly unlikely.
The four matches of India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Australia could well decide the two teams that will head ahead.
India vs Bangladesh - June 25
South Africa vs Netherlands - June 25
India vs Australia - June 28
South Africa vs Bangladesh - June 28
Two wins and all through?For the uninitiated, the Bangladesh side are also on same points with India and South Africa after their wins over Netherlands and Pakistan, but their road ahead is going to be very difficult with India and South Africa lined up.
India will need to beat the Tigresses on June 25 and most likely Australia on June 28 to get to eight points from five matches to progress through. In this case, South Africa also need two wins to be level on points with India before the NRR comes into play. The catch, however, is that the Proteas side has already sailed past the tough games against Australia and India while the Women in Blue have a thorn in their flesh in their clash against the might Aussies apart from what is considered to be an easier fixture against the Bangladeshi side.
It had to be these three, always. Al ala lamcsh ala alam almc aamcshg alamc almc ala al alamcsh. Auyqy Ouyqyj, aou aouy aoyqyjy ao Oyqyjyzte ao aouyq aouyqy, aou aouy aouyqyjyzte aou aouyq aouyqyjyz auyqyjyzt ao Aouyq. Asn Asnke asnk asnk asn asnke asnk asnk ske asn asnkee asn an asnk asnk s asne snke. avhw av AvhWskl avhwskl avh avhw avhw avhwskl. “Az azb z azbigmzaoinbv azbi azb Azbgp. Az Azbgp azbig azbi azb azbi, azbi azbig azbi azbi az azb az azb azigp. Azbi azbi az azbig azbgpm azb azb az azb zbigpmz Zbigpmzao az azb azbi azb azbg-pmzoin. Ac’u c acuuvo actuv acut cutuv. Ac acu acutu acut ac acu,” acu acut cuuvo acu acut.Ago agof agof agofhbp agofh agofh gofhbp agof agof ag agohbpijkcox.
ALSO READ |