T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12: India aim to seal semi-final spot with win over Zimbabwe

India, led by Rohit Sharma, are all set to lock horns with Craig Ervine’s Zimbabwe in their last T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match on Sunday, November 6 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India are currently placed on top of the points table after beating Pakistan, Netherlands and Bangladesh. However, barring the match against the Dutch team, the Men in Blue had to fight for the other wins.

Rohit’s men also lost to Temba Bavuma’s South Africa after Lungi Ngidi picked up a four-wicket haul on a fast and bouncy pitch at the Perth Stadium.

If India beat Zimbabwe, they will go through to the semis irrespective of the results of the other two matches in their Super 12 Group. Even a washout in Melbourne will guide India to the semis.

While South Africa will face the Netherlands at the Adelaide Oval, Pakistan and Bangladesh will play in the second match of the day at the same venue.

A win takes India through to the next round, but what if Rohit and Co. face a defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe?

Here are the scenarios if India lose to Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super 12 match:

South Africa win, Pakistan lose

If South Africa win their next match against Netherlands and Pakistan lose to Bangladesh, India would finish second in the points and would go through to the next round. Bangladesh and India would end with six points, but the Men in Blue will finish above as they have a better net run rate.

Pakistan win, South Africa lose

If Pakistan win their next game against Bangladesh and South Africa lose to the Netherlands, India would go through to the semis. India could either finish on top or in second in the points table depending on the results of their and Pakistan’s matches. For now, Pakistan have a net run rate of +1.117 while India’s is +0.730.

Both South Africa Pakistan win

If both South Africa and Pakistan win, India would be knocked out of the competition. In that case, South Africa will finish with seven points and Pakistan will end with six points. Both India and Pakistan will have six points in the end. However, Pakistan will finish second in the points table as they have a better net run rate than India.

South Africa washed off, Pakistan washed off

If both of South Africa’s and Pakistan’s matches get washed off, then India would finish second in the points table with six points and would go through to the semis. Pakistan and Bangladesh will be knocked out.

South Africa win, Pakistan washed off

If South Africa win against the Netherlands and Pakistan’s match gets washed off, India would finish second in the points table and would go through to the semis. South Africa would end with seven points while India would have six points.

Pakistan win, South Africa washed off

If South Africa’s match against the Netherlands gets washed off and Pakistan win, then India will advance to the semis as well. In that scenario, all of India, South Africa and Pakistan would end up with 6 points apiece. However, it’s India who will have the joint-highest number of wins (3) along with Pakistan and hence will go through.