Will Team India be out of WC if it loses to Zimbabwe? Understand the semi-final equations and the whole game of ‘if-but’

Chennai: The India vs Zimbabwe match to be held on Thursday at Chepauk ground in Chennai has now turned into a ‘knockout’. Team India’s path has become difficult after the crushing defeat against South Africa. If the Zimbabwe team captained by Sikandar Raza is successful in causing an upset in Chennai, then Suryakumar Yadav’s forces will be on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament. However, India’s fate depends not only on its victory but also on the outcome of the match between West Indies and South Africa. Will Team India be able to get out of this ‘if-but’ trap and get a ticket for the semi-finals or will the defending champion have to leave the World Cup? Understand the complete mathematics of the points table.

If Zimbabwe beats India and West Indies beats South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on the same day in the afternoon, India will be out of the tournament. West Indies’ victory will take them to 4 points. South Africa will remain on 2 points and by defeating India, Zimbabwe will also get 2 points. India will be at fourth position with 0 points. In such a situation, even if India beats West Indies in its last match, it will have a maximum of only 2 points. Since the last match of South Africa and Zimbabwe is between themselves, one of the teams will go ahead by 2 points, which India will not be able to catch.

How will Team India’s hopes remain alive even after defeat?

If India loses to Zimbabwe, but South Africa beats West Indies, then the doors to the semi-finals will not be closed for India. South Africa’s victory will take it to 4 points, while West Indies and Zimbabwe will remain on 2 points each. Now if South Africa also beats Zimbabwe in its last match, then it will top with 6 points. In such a situation, Zimbabwe will stop at 2 points. Now if India beats West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday, then India, West Indies and Zimbabwe will have 2 points each.

Here the decision will be taken on the basis of net run rate

Here the decision will be taken on the basis of Net Run Rate (NRR). Currently, India’s NRR (-3.800) is very bad, while West Indies (+5.350) is in a strong position. But two consecutive defeats of West Indies can drop their run rate, which can create an opportunity for India. There is another situation where India can be out. If South Africa beats West Indies, but Zimbabwe wins both its remaining matches (against India and South Africa), then Zimbabwe will move ahead with 4 points. In such a situation, India will be out even after defeating West Indies because South Africa and Zimbabwe will have more points than India.