The Women’s World Cup 2022 is achieving its sharp end well with league stage all but over.
Despite the fact that there are only two matches left, only two teams are guaranteed a place in the semi-finals: table-toppers Australia and South Africa.
The final two slots in the top four are still up for grabs, and India is a strong contender for one of them.
However, with India facing second-placed South Africa in the final match before the semi-final stage, it will be easier said than done.
In the first match of a Super Sunday, England takes on Bangladesh.
Here’s how India could still make to semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022:
The simplest equation for India is to win their final game against South Africa. With a win, India will move up to eighth place, one point ahead of the West Indies, who are currently at 3rd spot with seven points.
A win, however, would not ensure India third place. If England wins their final match against Bangladesh, the third and fourth places in the Women’s World Cup points standings will be decided by the net run rate of both teams.
Both teams will advance to the semi-finals if they win, with the West Indies falling out. England now has a slightly greater net run rate than India, but it could alter depending on the margins of their respective victories.
Here, comes the important point.If India loses, they can still make the semi-finals, but they’ll have to hope that Bangladesh does them a favour by beating England.
However, a loss by England does not ensure India a place in the semi-finals. It will once again be determined by both sides’ margins of defeat, with net run-rate factoring in.
Another possibility in which India might go to the semi-finals is if the match ends in a draw. If the match is called off owing to rain, both India and South Africa will receive one point each.
India’s tally will now be seven points, the same as the West Indies. However, India has a significantly higher net run rate than the Caribbean team, putting them ahead of the West Indies in the Women’s World Cup points standings.
