The India cricket team has qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal. The Men in Blue qualified after New Zealand beat Pakistan yesterday (February 24) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As a result, hosts Pakistan were also knocked out, and the two teams who’ll move to the knockout stage from Group A were decided.
India can decide their ICC Champions Trophy semifinal opponent
For the uninformed, Team India will decide their semifinal opponent. Since all of their matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the first semifinal will be played there as well. According to the ICC Champions Trophy system, A1 will play B2, and B1 will face A2. Now the A1 vs. B2 match is being scheduled to be played in Dubai. But if India loses to New Zealand, they’ll end as A2 and will face B1. If they win, they’ll face B2.
How rain can dictate Group B’s semifinal qualifications
Now let’s come to the real talking point. It’s about how the Australia vs. South Africa match, which should have started by now, has been halted due to rain in Rawalpindi. If this match gets ruled out, chaos will ensue. As we stand, South Africa and Australia are favourites to go through.
But if they share a point each, any of the four teams can qualify. This poses a big challenge for Team India. They can’t prepare for one specific team. South Africa has the best net run rate, but if this match gets washed out and they lose to England, they can be knocked out. The same goes for Australia.
ICC Champions Trophy: Points Table, Group B
| Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Points | Net Run Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.140 |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.475 |
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -0.475 |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -2.140 |
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