On Sunday, India and Zimbabwe will face off in the final Group 2 match of the Super 12 stage at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India should advance to the semi-finals with a win. Zimbabwe’s path to the semi-finals is not yet completely closed. For the African nation to advance to the next round, events must take an unusual turn on the final day of the Super 12 stage.
India will play Zimbabwe in the final Group 2 match of the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday in the final Group 2 match of the tournament. This match determines India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals.
How can India reach the semi-finals?
India currently leads Group 2 with six points from four matches and a net run rate of +0.730. A win advances the team to the semifinals. If India loses, Pakistan has a chance to advance to the next stage of the tournament if they defeat Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval. Pakistan is third in Group 2 with four points from four games. However, Pakistan has a higher net run rate of +1.117.
If India loses to Zimbabwe and Pakistan wins over Bangladesh, both countries will have 6 points. When two teams finish with the same number of points, the net run rate is applied. Pakistan’s superior net run rate will help the team reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals for the second year in a row.
What must Zimbabwe do to reach the semi-finals?
Zimbabwe’s path to the semi-finals is not yet completely closed. Zimbabwe is fifth in Group 1 with three points from four games and a net run rate of -0.313. For the African nation to advance to the next round, events must take an unusual turn on the final day of the Super 12 stage.
First and foremost, Zimbabwe must hope that the Netherlands defeat South Africa in the day’s first match at the Adelaide Oval. South Africa will finish with 5 points from 5 matches if they lose to the Netherlands. Then Zimbabwe should pray to the heavens that the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is canceled due to rain.
This would leave Pakistan and Bangladesh with 5 points from 5 games each. Finally, Zimbabwe should thrash India so thoroughly that the team’s net run rate exceeds the net run rates of South Africa and Pakistan. If the stars align and all of the above occur, Zimbabwe will finish second in Group 2 and advance to the semi-finals.
Aside from qualification scenarios, India enters the final group game in good spirits. KL Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli In this World Cup, Kohli has five fifties. Kohli leads the pack with three half-centuries, followed by Suryakumar with two.
Rahul and Rohit have both reached the century mark. Bowling appears to be in good condition as well. Every Indian bowler who has bowled in this tournament has taken at least two wickets. Arshdeep Singh, a young left-arm pacer, is having a breakout tournament, picking up 9 wickets, the most for India Down Under. Rohit would like to see one of these players put up his hand to deliver a victory against Zimbabwe.
Unlike India, Zimbabwe has been a one-man show until now. Sikandar Raza’s efforts with both the ball and the bat gave Zimbabwe hope for the World Cup. The all-rounder has 185 runs and 9 wickets to his name.
Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, would expect more from his teammates as the team looks to finish the tournament on a high note and, with luck, achieve the extraordinary as well!
Guide to Forms (last five matches)
- India: W-L-W-W-L
- Zimbabwe: L-L-W-NR-W
Zimbabwe vs. India T20 Internationals
- 7 matches have been played.
- India wins with 5 points.
- Zimbabwe wins: 2
Pitch
The MCG’s average first innings score (from the two completed matches) is 158. The pitch has a lot of bounce and carry. This wicket will be ideal for fast bowlers.
Weather forecast
In the final week of October, the last three scheduled matches at the MCG were washed out without a ball being bowled. Accuweather predicts a few showers in the morning, but decreasing clouds and a temperature of around 15° C in the evening.
Potential starting XIs
Zimbabwe’s possible starting XI is as follows: Wesley Madhevere (c), Craig Ervine (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, and Blessing Muzarabani.
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh are possible starting XIs for India.
Suggestions for top fantasy picks
- Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Craig Ervine, and Sean Williams are the batsmen.
- Dinesh Karthik is the wicketkeeper.
- Hardik Pandya and Sikandar Raza are both all-rounders.
- Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and Blessing Muzarabani are the bowlers.
Odds on betting (OKBET Sports Betting)
- India: 1.06
- 10.00 Zimbabwe
Where can I watch live TV?
The game begins at 1.30 p.m. IST. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network in India. The live-action can be viewed online via Disney+Hotstar.