How can India qualify for semifinals of the Women’s World Cup 2022?

Indian Women’s team took on their Bangladesh counterpart on Tuesday at the Seddon Park, Hamilton in a World Cup clash. The Indian team won the toss and decided to bat first. India put up a total of 229 runs on the board. The highest scorer for India was Yastika Bhatia who scored 50 runs from 80 deliveries. The Bangladesh team came out to chase the target and lost their way from the very beginning. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and ultimately were bowled out for just 119 runs in the 41st over of their innings. Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers for India with 4 wickets for 30 runs in her quota of 10 overs. This resulted in India winning the match by a big margin of 110 runs.

The huge win for India improved their already positive net run rate. The Indians are now at 3rd position in the points table with six points from six matches. West Indies also have the same number of points but are behind India courtesy of a worse run rate. 

India is currently having a net run rate of +0.768. At this conjecture of the tournament, certain things will have to fall in place for India to qualify for the semi-finals. Here is how the team can progress to the semis of the competition.

1. Defeat South Africa: The Australian team has already qualified for the semis with 12 points. South Africa is currently ranked 2 on the points table with 8 points, followed by India. India has only one game left in the league stage against South Africa. A victory against the Proteas will almost ensure India a birth in the semi-final. 

2. Depend on the match between West Indies and South Africa: If India ends on the wrong side against South Africa, they will finish the league stage with six points. In such a case, India will have to wait for the result of match between South Africa and the West Indies. If West Indies turn out victorious in that game, then SA and WI can progress to the Semis with 8 points. 

While India will have to wait for the results of the remaining two games of England. England is still due to play against Pakistan and Bangladesh. If England wins the two matches, then they go through to the semi-finals.

3. Depending on Net Run Rate: If India and West Indies both win against South Africa, followed by England emerging victorious in both their remaining games, then it all comes down to Net Run Rate. In this situation, four teams will be tied at eight points and India will have better chances of qualifying as they have a positive NRR.