ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: The defending champion Australia takes on New Zealand in what promises to be a crucial Group A match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup here in Sharjah. At stake would be qualification scenarios as the group stage draws to a close for both teams yet to lose a game after respectively winning their opening matches.

The stakes are very particularly high for India, who were to advance with Australia but have found themselves in a precarious position after suffering a heavy opening loss to New Zealand. The defeat has left India hanging by a thread to its chances.

India’s Scenario

It was, however, a welcome win for India after they lost a match to New Zealand; and then they came back to beat Pakistan, but the slow chase for them left a lot of baggage in terms of net run rate. India is now fourth in the group, on par with Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan on points but far away in the net run rate.

Only winless Sri Lanka, whom India plays on Wednesday, is below them in the standings.

Also Read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Australia Aims For Perfection Against Confident New Zealand

What Does Australia vs New Zealand Mean For India?

The winner of the match between Australia and New Zealand will top the table so winning the tie is a must for India to keep a close eye on the net run rate implications.

If Australia Win

If Australia wins, they will automatically top the group, leaving them in a very solid position ahead of the all-important matches against Pakistan and then India. For India, this would be a bit of a nightmare since they will need Australia to defeat Pakistan and either Sri Lanka or Pakistan to defeat New Zealand to knock the other out of the tournament.

Well, all India needs to do is win against Australia in the final game of the tournament, without having to think about the net run rate, if they are going to have a hope of qualifying for the tournament.

If New Zealand Wins

A win for New Zealand will dispatch off the thriller match between India and Australia, on October 13, making it a knockout. In this case, India has to win its next game against Sri Lanka, and Australia has to win its game against Pakistan, getting both teams on six points. In such a case, the next game between them would be a direct battle to reach the semifinals, which will raise the ante among fans to extreme levels.

India’s Remaining Matches

India will face Sri Lanka on October 9, a team they shocked everyone by losing to just recently in the Asia Cup. So, if India clears this test, it has Australia with all guns blazing, a win here remains an absolute necessity on October 13.

As the tournament progresses, it will be a roller-coaster of a ride for the fans as teams continue jostling for positions that would place them victorious in the battle for T20 World Cup!

Also Read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Australia vs New Zealand: Clash of Titans In T20 World Cup