With their commanding 61-run victory against Pakistan, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side made their way into the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, with one game against the Netherlands to be played
on Wednesday. India registered a hat-trick of wins, which was enough to help them qualify for the next round.
As the tournament approaches the Super 8 stage, confusion has arisen over the format and schedule. The ICC has assigned pre-seeding numbers for the first group stage, which means India’s upcoming opponents in the next phase were already predetermined.
India will conclude their group stage campaign with a final clash against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The outcome would not impact India’s Super 8 games, as the schedule for the next phase has already been set.
India have been designated as ‘X1’ and find themselves in a potential ‘group of death’ for the Super 8 stage. Their Group X rivals will be Australia, South Africa and West Indies, with Australia and South Africa among the tournament favourites alongside India, while West Indies emerge as the strongest dark horse contender.
While X1 is India, Australia are X2, West Indies are X3 and South Africa are X4 and they form Group 1 of the Super 8 stage. Y1 are England, Y2 are New Zealand, Y3 are Pakistan while co-hosts Sri Lanka are Y4 and they form Group 2.
With India, West Indies and South Africa already qualified, it needs to be seen who among Zimbabwe, Australia and Ireland finish Group 1. Group 2 seedings are yet to be confirmed.
India will start their Super 8 campaign in Ahmedabad, facing the team designated ‘X4’ in the pre-seedings, 2024 runners-up South Africa, on Sunday, February 22.
South Africa could still see their Super 8 spot snatched by the UAE, but that would require the Middle Eastern team to bag consecutive victories over Afghanistan and the Proteas.
With three victories from three games, South Africa can be confident of progressing. Next up is a blockbuster clash against Australia, or Zimbabwe, if the latter pulls off a brilliant upset like last week.
Should Zimbabwe defeat Australia to claim the qualification spot, they would take the X2 seed, with Ireland still in contention. The match is all set for February 26 in Chennai.
