With semifinal hopes hanging by a thread, imperative for India women to pass stern Sri Lanka test

New Delhi: With Australia’s thumping win over New Zealand on Tuesday, it has become even more complicated for India women to keep breathing in the women’s T20 World Cup 2024. They cannot afford to make a mistake in the upcoming group clashes if they wish to bring home the elusive T20 World Cup trophy for the first time.

On Wednesday, the Women in Blue face Asian champions Sri Lanka in their third and the most important group match of the showpiece event. Having faced a defeat at first against New Zealand followed by a fantastic comeback win against arch-rivals Pakistan, India face the test on October 9 and a stern one indeed. From here on, only wins in their remaining matches with a slice of good net run rate can earn them then semis berth.

India’s fate after Australia crush Kiwis

Thinking about what would have been the scenario for India before the Australia-New Zealand clash is a share waste of time but surely, it would have been a bit easier. Now that the Aussies crushed the Kiwis shattering the hopes of the Indian cricket team, it becomes a bit difficult for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side.

India will have to beat Sri Lanka and then Australia to stay in the contention for a berth in the semis of the marquee event. If India win, New Zealand, Australia and India will end up with 6 points each (3 wins out of 4 matches), after which the two teams with a better net run rate will advance. It will be all but over for India if they lose any of their group games now.

All-round performance vital for India

In the last two group games, it was observed that a all-round failure against New Zealand and an all-round brilliant effort against Pakistan got them the results they earned. For survival in the tournament, India need to excel in all the departments is they aim to move ahead. Even though Sri Lanka have been below-par in the ongoing tournament with two back-to-back defeats, still it is the same team that stunned India in Asia Cup final not so long ago so they need to be wary of that unsaid threat.

Silent assets need to fire, run-rate of pivotal importance

Undoubtedly the best batter in the side, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, has been quite in the last two matches and if India aim to progress ahead, her performance will be very vital. On the slow wickets in the UAE, Mandhana has failed showcase her class, where stroke making has proved to be extremely tough. In the match against the Lankans, the star batter of the side needs to fire well tom take the pressure off the others.

Not only winning the game firstly against Sri Lanka and then Australia will see India through but winning them after remaining mindful of the run rate factor is very important. Against arch-rivals Pakistan, India chased down 106 in 18.5 overs against Pakistan as they struggled to score runs somewhere in the middle but they will have to keep the run-rate factor in mind in then all-important clash vs Sri Lanka.

Full Coverage of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

 India lock horns with Sri Lanka in their third group game of the ICC women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai on Wednesday.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today