Team India (Image Credit: BCCI)
NEW DELHI: The Super 8 phase of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has reached its deciding stage and the latest points table leaves defending champions India with a clear equation – beat West Indies on Sunday and book a place in the semi-finals.Go beyond boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!The first group experienced a dramatic shake-up on Thursday. South Africa stormed into the quarter-finals with a resounding nine-wicket win over West Indies in Ahmedabad, chasing down 177 in just 16.1 overs. A thrilling 95-run opening stand between Aiden Markram (82 not out) and Quinton de Kock (47) set the tone, while Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten 45 sealed the deal as the Proteas finished at 177/1.
The win continued South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament and confirmed their place in the semi-finals.
Keeping their T20 World Cup dream alive, India move to Kolkata now
Meanwhile, India maintained their title defense with a crushing 72-run win over Zimbabwe in Chennai. That result, coupled with South Africa’s dominance, set up a virtual quarter-final between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The two teams have two points from two matches, which makes them compete for second place in the semi-finals of the first group.
T20 World Cup Super 8 Group 1 Points Table
| p | W | to | N.R | points | NRR | |
| South Africa (S) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +2.890 |
| West Indies | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +1.791 |
| India | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -0.100 |
| Zimbabwe (e) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -4.475 |
As South Africa face Zimbabwe in their final Super 8 match, all eyes will be on Kolkata, where the winner of the India-West Indies match will qualify.In Group B, co-hosts Sri Lanka became the first team to be eliminated after a 61-run loss to New Zealand. The New Zealanders scored 168/7 before restricting Sri Lanka to 107/8, ending their campaign. England has already qualified with two victories from two matches, while New Zealand and Pakistan are still in the competition.
T20 World Cup Super 8 Group 2 Points Table
| p | W | to | N.R | points | NRR | |
| England (S) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.491 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +3.050 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.461 |
| Sri Lanka (e) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -2.800 |
With knockout chances at stake and net run rates, the race to the semi-finals is now at boiling point. Sunday’s India-West Indies match promises to decide more than just two points – it will decide who keeps the World Cup dream alive.
