Women’s ODI World Cup | Are India still in fray for semis or have they left it too late?

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After a great start to their campaign in the home edition of the Women’s ODI World Cup, India find themselves in a tricky spot in the points table. With two group games remaining, they are placed fourth with four points and level with New Zealand and Sri Lanka, who have played a game more.

‌India Women started the ODI World Cup in style with two wins from their first two matches, but soon their campaign unravelled with a hat-trick of defeats that put them in a tricky position in the points table. Though the lower middle order bailed them out in the first two matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, lacklustre bowling and inconsistency on the field in the next three saw them concede more than 250 in all those games.

With Australia, England, and South Africa having already qualified for the last four, India are currently placed fourth with four points from five games. Competing with them for the last spot are New Zealand and Sri Lanka, who both are level with the Women in Blue, with the Lankans playing a game more than the other two.

India have their task cut out as they face New Zealand in their penultimate group game in Navi Mumbai on Thursday before squaring off against Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday. Here is a look at the different scenarios of how the hosts can make it to the semifinal of the marquee event.

India to win both games

This is the most straightforward route for the Women in Blue to seal their place in the knockout phase of the ICC ODI World Cup. Two wins out of two will take them to eight points and will guarantee them a fourth-place finish.

With a loss against India, the Kiwis, along with Sri Lanka, will then be left with a maximum of six points with wins in their respective final group games. This will result in both sides finishing below India on the table and getting eliminated from the tournament.

India to beat NZ but lose to Bangladesh

A win over NZ and a loss to Bangladesh will leave India at six points after their group proceedings. This will still give India (0.526) the upper hand since they will have a better Net Run Rate (NRR) compared to New Zealand (-0.245) and Sri Lanka (-1.035).

Moreover, the White Ferns will have a tough last game against England, which they have to win to be level on points with the hosts. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have to beat Pakistan by a huge margin to threaten India’s progress to the final four.

India to lose against NZ but win against Bangladesh

If New Zealand beat India and then go on to better England in their last game, then it is game over for the hosts, even if they beat Bangladesh, as they will finish on six points compared to NZ’s eight. However, if the White Ferns lose against England and the Women in Blue beat the Tigresses comprehensively, the home side will have a chance to pip the Kiwis on NRR.