How India can still make it to semis
Following their defeats to Australia and West Indies, they may now have to overcome many ifs and buts to remain in the race
Dubai: India are nearly out of the exit door of the third edition of the Twenty20 World Cup. Only a miracle can keep them in contention for a semi-final slot.
Following their defeats to Australia and West Indies, they may now have to overcome many ifs and buts to remain in the race. The match today against Sri Lanka will decide their fate.
India have to beat Sri Lanka by 20 runs if they are batting first or by 13 to 15 balls to spare if batting second. It is also important that Australia beat West Indies today, which is the last match before the semifinal.
Clash
The India-Sri Lanka battle is a clash between the two big powers of Asian cricket. India had recently proved that they are a better team but they have to rise to the challenge under West Indian conditions.
Possibilities
- India will have to beat Sri Lanka (SL) by 20 runs (batting 1st) or by 13 to 15 balls to spare (batting 2nd) to qualify for the semi-finals:
- India bat first, make 200 and restrict SL to 180.
- India bat first, make 175 and restrict SL to 155.
- India bat first, make 150 and restrict SL to 130.
- India bat first, make 140 and restrict SL to 120.
- India bat first, make 130 and restrict SL to 110.
- SL bat first, make 200 India has to reach target in 17.5 overs (ie 13 balls to spare)
- SL bat first make 175 India have to reach target in 17.4 overs (ie 14 balls to spare)
- SL bat first make 150 India have to reach target in 17.3 overs (ie 15 balls to spare)
- SL bat first make 140 India have to reach target in 17.3 overs (ie 15 balls to spare)
- SL bat first make 130 India have to reach target in 17.3 overs (ie 15 balls to spare)
- Australia must also beat West Indies in the last Super Eight match.
— Mohandas Menon
Was the team's loss due to its weakness against short-pitched deliveries? Or was Dhoni's decision to field first the reason for the loss?
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