India is set to face Australia eight months after their heartbreaking loss in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. This time, the clash will be in the high-stakes environment of the T20 World Cup 2024. India, with revenge on their minds, will take on Australia on Monday, June 24, at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia. This must-win match holds significant importance as both teams vie to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Afghanistan's impressive unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup 2024 came to an unexpected end when they were stunned by Australia. The Rashid Khan-led side made history by securing their first-ever win against Australia. If Australia had won that match, India would have automatically advanced to the semi-finals. However, Australia's loss has thrown the competition wide open, giving all four teams in Group 1 a chance to make it to the knockout stage.
India now has an opportunity to eliminate Australia from the T20 World Cup 2024. If India wins and Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh, Australia will be knocked out of the tournament. Even if the Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh match is washed out, Afghanistan will progress to the semi-finals with three points from four matches. Should India defeat Australia, they will top Group 2 with six points. Conversely, if Australia beats India, their fate will still depend on the outcome of the Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh game.
Should Australia win and Bangladesh defeats Afghanistan, Australia will advance to the semi-finals. However, if Afghanistan wins, the decision will come down to net run rate. According to the tournament rules, the top two teams from each group will move on to the semi-finals.
India, having remained unbeaten in the tournament so far, will aim to maintain their winning streak. They have a prime opportunity to potentially eliminate Australia, their arch-rival in ICC events, from the competition.
