Australia's Dominant Victory vs NZ Alters India's Path to the Women's T20 World Cup Semifinals

India Women will square off Sri Lanka Women at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. local time in Group A of the ICC Women's World T20. India will be trying to improve their net run rate by fixing their batting problems, particularly from the explosive opening combination of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. As they are about to be out of contention for the semifinal owing to two consecutive defeats, Sri Lanka, under talismanic skipper Chamari Athapaththu, who would be guiding her side to success, is also under observation. 

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How Australia's 60-run victory over New Zealand affects India's prospects of making it to the semifinals of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup

At the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, the defending champions Australia defeated New Zealand with a commanding sixty-run victory on October 8 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Australia made 148 runs at a cost of 8 wickets after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. In reply, New Zealand was bowled out in 19.2 overs for only 88 runs.

Ellyse Perry contributed 30 runs off 24 balls, while Beth Mooney top-scored Australia's batting attack with 40 runs off 32 balls. Amelia Kerr of New Zealand made a big contribution with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 26 runs, which kept Australia's total score below 150. While Megan Schutt had an outstanding effort, taking three wickets for only three runs, while Annabel Sutherland chipped in with three wickets for twenty-one runs, New Zealand found it difficult to chase the wickets. With 29 runs scored at bat, Kerr was the White Ferns' most impressive player, followed by Suzie Bates with 20.

With four points from two games and an impressive net run rate of +2.524, Australia may currently lead Group A in the 2024 T20 World Cup rankings after their decisive victory. The result makes it more difficult for India to get to the semifinals.

Following a 58-run loss to New Zealand, India recovered well in the Women's T20 World Cup with six wicket triumph against their arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. With a net run rate of -1.217, they stay in fourth position in the Group A ranks despite their success.

Pakistan is now in second position with a net run rate of +0.555 despite the defeat to India, while New Zealand has dropped to third place with -0.050. With two points each, Pakistan , New Zealand, and India all three teams are tied.

India has to win both of their remaining games by significant margins if they are to land a position in the Women's T20 World Cup 's the semifinals. Their next challenge is against Sri Lanka in Dubai on October 9, then a pivotal game against Australia in Sharjah on October 13.

Assuming Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad win both games, they would end the league phase with six points. But if Australia loses Pakistan and New Zealand wins their upcoming games; each of them teams would therefore both finish with six points. The huge defeat to New Zealand in their first game might prove to be a major blow unless India shows notable success in their next games.

Pakistan is still in competition for a semifinal place with a strong net run rate of +0.555 in meanwhile. If they have victories against Australia and New Zealand, they will also have six points. If India wins and New Zealand wins and Australia loses, then Australia would have four points apiece and India would have six points. This is highly unlikely, however.