Team India is in Florida, Lauderhill currently to play their last T20 World Cup league fixture against Canada on June 15, and then the caravan moves to the West Indies, for the Super 8 matches. Rohit Sharma & Co. have already qualified for the next round, while the second qualifiers from the Group A have not emerged. But, that is hardly a matter of concern for Team India, as their opponents for the Super 8 are already decided.
As per the tournament format, the seedings for all the teams were pre-decided, and India got A1. In that sense, India will be facing B2, C1, D2 in the Super 8, which is Afghanistan (C1), Australia (B2), and most likely Bangladesh (D2). So, India’s next round will start with IND vs AFG on June 20, followed by IND vs BAN (maybe) on June 22, and IND vs AUS on June 24.
India Super 8 Chances
Call it a setback for India, they are the only team in this Group A of the Super 8, to have not played a single match in the West Indies, in this T20 World Cup. And that could be a major blow for Rohit Sharma’s team, given the nature of pitches in the competition. So far, we have only played at Nassau County Stadium, New York, where the bowlers ruled, there was invariable bounce and batters found it tough. In fact, the highest score on that ground till now is 137 by Canada against Ireland.
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On the other hand, we have the likes of Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who have played a fair share of matches in the West Indies, in the last few days. Out of them, when it comes to IND vs AUS, the latter hold another advantage, of playing a match in St. Lucia already, the venue for their Super 8 match vs Men in Blue.
IND vs AUS, Mitch Marsh’s Men Have an Edge
Mitchell Marsh’s Australia will play a match in St. Lucia vs Scotland on June 15. That means they would be fully aware of the conditions there, how the ground would play, and also the pitch, when they face India on June 24. While it could be struggle for the 2007 champions, who haven’t had a taste of the stadium in recent times. So that could be the biggest deterrent, as far as India’s chances of progressing are concerned.
