The 2007 champions India are primed to register a hat-trick of wins to advance to the next stage; but USA’s giant-killing run can’t be taken lightly.
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Ahead of the T20 World Cup, USA defeated Bangladesh to win a historic bilateral series — their first against a Test-playing nation.
It followed an even bigger upset, shocking Pakistan in their second group match of the T20 tournament. In between, the US team defeated neighbours Canada in the tournament opener.
With two wins in as many matches, USA, like India, are unbeaten in the tournament; but face their biggest test against Rohit Sharma & Co.
USA’s stay at the top of the group after back-to-back wins didn’t last for long as India won the battle against the archrivals Pakistan, beating them by six runs in a thrilling contest.
The win took India (2 matches, 4 points, NRR +1.455) to No. 1 spot in Group A, followed by USA (2 matches, 4 points, NRR +0.626), Pakistan (3 matches, 2 points, NRR +0.191), Canada (3 matches, 2 points, NRR -0.493) and Ireland (2 matches, 0 point, NRR -1.712).
Here’s a look at how the result in India vs USA match on Wednesday will affect the ‘Super 8’ qualification scenario of the five teams in Group A:
IF INDIA WIN
A victory for India will mean that the former champions will advance to the next stage, where they will join South Africa and Australia — the two teams so far to have made it to the ‘Super 8s’. That result will also breathe new life into Pakistan’s campaign that stayed alive after their win over Canada. However, Pakistan will hope that India register a big win over USA and seriously dent the net run-rate of the American team, which at present is better than that of Pakistan’s.
But even if USA lose to India, they will have a chance to progress to the ‘Super 8s’ with a win over Ireland in their last match, which will make all other remaining games in the group irrelevant and eliminate the other three teams.
IF USA WIN
In case USA’s dream run in their tournament debut continues with another upset win, they will go through to the ‘Super 8s’. However, that result will not favour Pakistan, Canada and Ireland.
If India lose to the US and win their last match against minnows Canada, they will join the co-hosts as the two teams in ‘Super 8s’ from Group A, putting the remaining three out of the race.
