After the Windies hurricane in Mumbai, Team India’s semi-final scenario hangs in uncertainty. Qualification for the T20 World Cup semi-finals now depends on the outcomes with two clear scenarios determining its fate.
India cricket team finds itself in a precarious position in the T20 World Cup 2026 after an unbeaten run in the group stage. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side suffered a sobering setback against the South Africa cricket team in their opening Super-8 encounter. The 76-run loss in Ahmedabad dented their momentum and significantly complicated the road to the semi-finals.
Opting to bat first, the Proteas posted a competitive 187/7, powered by a fluent 63 from David Miller and a brisk 45 by Dewald Brevis. Jasprit Bumrah impressed with figures of 3/15, but the chase unraveled quickly. Dismissed for 111, India saw their Net Run Rate (NRR) decrease to -3.800, further affecting their qualification prospects.
If India secures victories over West Indies and Zimbabwe, they will end the group stage with four points. If South Africa win all of their remaining matches, both India and South Africa will advance to the semifinals.
If India win both fixtures and South Africa lose one match, three teams could finish level on four points, with qualification determined by net run rate.
If India win both matches and South Africa lose both of theirs, the semifinal spots will go to India and West Indies.
Scenario 2: If India win one match
If India manage only one victory from the two matches, they will be eliminated regardless of other results in the group.
India’s campaign remains delicately poised, with little room for error in the remaining fixtures.