Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: still Indian women’s can qualify for Semi-final

T20 World Cup 2023: India suffered their first defeat in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Saturday (February 18) at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha at the hands of England. The Heather Knight-led side narrowly defeated the Women in Blue by 11 runs in an exciting match. Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: still Indian women’s can qualify for Semi-final.

Despite a valiant effort from the Indian team, England’s superior batting and bowling proved to be the difference in the end, as they emerged victorious in a thrilling contest. A career-best five-wicket performance by Indian opening bowler Renuka Thakur was not enough to stop England’s march towards the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Saturday.

England won a top-of-the-table Group Two contest by 11 runs, handing India their first defeat of the tournament. Thakur took wickets in each of her three overs in the powerplay and claimed two more in the final over of the innings to finish with five for 15 in seamer-friendly conditions.

But Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones scored freely during most of the rest of the innings as England posted 151 for seven. India replied with 140 for five. Currently, England is at the top of group two with three wins in three matches and six points. India is in second place with two wins in three matches and a total of four points.

Pakistan is in the third position, having won one out of their two games, they have a total of two points. Windies is in the fourth position with one win in three games and a total of two points. Ireland is at the bottom, having lost all their three matches so far.

Here’s how India can still qualify for the semi-final:

India have so far been triumphant in two of their three matches, while England have been undefeated in all three. A win against Ireland in their final group stage game could be enough to propel India into the semi-finals. However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad will have to battle hard if they are to finish atop the group.

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If India is to finish first in the group, they must not only defeat Ireland but also hope that England loses to Pakistan. Even then, this may not be enough, as England’s net run rate of +1.766 is significantly higher than India’s +0.205. In fact, if Pakistan defeats the West Indies later tonight, India could be eliminated due to the Women in Green’s superior net run rate of +1.542 compared to the Women in Blue.