India would go through if the match is abandoned
In the case of a washout today, India and South Africa would be tied on points.
Indian team had a chance to take a commanding position in the group after registering a comprehensive win against arch-rivals Pakistan. But the defending champions couldn’t seize the initiative after they failed to defend 322 against Sri Lanka. That result has increased excitement levels for the last two games. India Vs South Africa and Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka are virtual quarter-finals with the winner going through and losers will have to go home.
Scenario if the match gets abandoned
According to the rules in the Champions Trophy, if two teams are tied on points. The standings would be decided on the basis of the Net Run Rate. The Men in Blue have a very stronger run rate compared to the other teams. In the case of a washout today, India and South Africa would be tied on points and hence India will go through to the semi-finals.
If both the matches get abandoned all the teams would finish on 3 points. In that case, the Indian team and the Proteas will go through to the semi-finals as both have higher run rates than the other two in the group.
The defending champions have the highest run rate in the group, while South Africa’s is the second best. So in the unlikely scenario of both the games getting washed out, India and South Africa will through. In that case, Pakistan and Sri Lanka would crash out of the tournament and will have to go home.
Winning should be the first priority for India
Virat Kohli and team’s think tank are smart enough not to depend on the weather to take them through. Indian team would be trying to win the match and go through to the semi-finals via merit rather than luck. India have the highest run rate and the win today will ensure that they will qualify as group toppers.
Qualifying as group toppers would mean India would get to face Bangladesh in semi-finals. Considering their performance in the warm-up game vs Bangladesh, Team India would surely fancy their chances against neighbours. Before that, they would have to get the job done today!
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