India in Semi-Finals: Who Will India Play in CWC 2019 Semis? Take a Look at the Possibilities Ahead of the Team’s Last League Game Against Sri Lanka
India are currently placed second in the points standings but still have a league game against Sri Lanka, which opens their prospects of topping the table and facing the team placed fourth – at the end of the round robin format – in the semi-finals of CWC 2019. Australia currently lead the table with 14 points.
India beat Bangladesh in their penultimate game of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to seal their semi-final berth. The two-time champions are currently placed second in the points standings but still have a league game against Sri Lanka, which opens their prospects of topping the standings and facing the team placed fourth at the end of the round robin format in CWC 2019. India play Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds on July 6 (Saturday) but ahead of that encounter let’s take a look at India’s possible semi-final opponents. Pakistan Semi-Final Chances: Here’s How PAK Can Qualify for CWC 2019 Semis and Beat New Zealand on Net Run Rate, Check Scenarios.
A round robin format was followed in CWC 2019 meaning that teams will directly qualify for the semi-finals. The format further states that the first-placed team will take on the last/fourth-ranked side in the first semi-final, while the second and third ranked teams will battle it out in the second semi-final of the tournament. Shocking Wish! Mohammad Yousuf Wants Lightening to Strike the Bangladeshi Players for Getting Pakistan in Semis of CWC 2019.
England are already confirmed to finish third in the points table, while New Zealand are also assured of a fourth-placed finish – unless Pakistan pulls off a never before seen miracle against Bangladesh. But it is the top two positions of the table that could still see a change depending on how defending champions Australia and India fare in their final league games. Australia are currently at the top with 14 points from eight games, while India from the same no of matches have 13. Australia face South Africa in their final league game. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – Points Table.
Therefore if India beats Sri Lanka and Australia lose to South Africa in their final league games, Virat Kohli’s men will go on top of the league standings with 15 points, while Australia will remain on 14. In such a scenario, India will play fourth-placed New Zealand in Manchester, while England and Australia will revive their Ashes spirits at Birmingham.
But in case India lose to Sri Lanka, they will remain on 13 points and finish second in the standings. Australia, who are already on 14 points will, therefore, top the rankings and play New Zealand, while Virat Kohli and his men try and avenge their league-stage defeat against England in the second semi-final. India’s defeat will also make the Australia vs South Africa game a dead-rubber.
Pakistan still has an outside chance of qualifying as the fourth best-placed team. They can replace New Zealand in the top four but will have to win by a big margin in their final league stage match against Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, both India and Australia have lost one game each in CWC 2019, while India also endured a washout. Their game against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain. Australia, however, has seven victories from eight games so far in the tournament, while India have won six. The first semi-final will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 9 (Tuesday), while the second semi-final will take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 11 (Thursday).
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 04, 2019 09:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).