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Big Blow To India’s World Test Championship Final Hopes If 2nd Test vs Bangladesh Is Washed Out
Rain and a wet outfield have played spoilsport in the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, with the weather threatening to derail India’s quest for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Only 35 overs were bowled on Day 1 as Bangladesh struggled to 107/3, with Indian pacer Akash Deep impressing by picking up two crucial wickets. The second day was washed out without a ball being bowled.
As it stands, India lead the WTC standings with a percentage points (PCT) tally of 71.67 after 10 matches, putting them in a prime position to make their third consecutive final. A 2-0 series win over Bangladesh would have left India needing only three more wins from their remaining eight matches to secure a spot in the WTC final.
However, with rain looming large over the second Test, a draw could complicate India’s path to the final.
Should this Test ended in a draw, India will need to win five of their next eight Test matches to cement their place in the WTC final, assuming other contenders for a top-two finish do not drop points.
This leave India with a more challenging route, as they will likely need to clean sweep New Zealand 3-0 at home and secure at least two wins in the five-match Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in Down Under.
India have won the last two series in Australia, but repeating that feat will be a daunting task, especially with the pressure of WTC qualification hanging over their heads. The team’s dominant record at home, combined with their recent successes Down Under, gives India some confidence, but the margin for error has narrowed considerably if this match is washed out.
The series against New Zealand at home will be pivotal in shaping India’s campaign. While the Indian side has been virtually unbeatable on home soil, a 3-0 sweep against the Kiwis is crucial to lessen the burden of needing to win several games away in Australia.
Given India’s history in Australia, two wins in the Border-Gavaskar series would still be an impressive result, but the challenge is immense.
For now, the Indian camp will be hoping for a break in the rain to allow play to resume in Kanpur. Every session lost to the weather could mean India face a more uphill battle in their journey to the WTC final. With a host of talented bowlers, including Akash Deep, already making an impact in this match, India will look to capitalise on any opportunity to take control of the game once the weather clears.
The stakes are high, and India’s immediate focus remains on Bangladesh. However, the shadow of WTC qualification looms large, and the rain-soaked outfield at Green Park Stadium is adding an unwanted layer of complexity to India’s otherwise well-laid plans.
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India’s Predicted XI vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I: Sanju Samson in action© AFP
India’s Predicted XI vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I: India have already clinched the three-match series 2-0 and the Suryakumar Yadav-led side is expected to make big changes for the third T20I encounter against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday. India went with a young side for the series and some of their performances will be extremely good news for the team management. Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged as the star performer in the second T20I encounter with both bat and ball while Mayank Yadav proved his mettle as his express pace earned him a spot as a reserve bowler for New Zealand Tests. However, questions still remain over Sanju Samson after he failed to score big once again.
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are expected to open the batting once again for India in the third T20I encounter. Abhishek has shown flashes of good form but the major onus will be on Sanju to find his form. A good show in the third T20I can be a huge boost for a player who has not fared that well till now/
Suryakumar will be leading the side with Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the middle order. The young batting core will be raring to go and make their case for future selections.
Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar are expected to play as the all-rounders. Hardik has been quite impressive and his prowess with the ball will be a major boost for the Indian cricket team.
When it comes to the bowling department, Harshit Rana is expected to make his debut with Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh making up the playing XI. Mayank Yadav is all set to be rested for the final match.
India’s Predicted XI vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
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Former wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa will lead the star-studded Indian team in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024. Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bharat Chipli and Shreevats Goswami (wk) are the other squad members. With a mix of talent in batting and bowling, India will aim for their second title in the tournament. India last won the HK Sixes during the 2005 edition. The tournament began in 1992 and was last held in 2017 before being revived this year.
The 20th edition of the tournament will be played between 12 teams at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground. Other participating teams include Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Hong Kong, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The competition has previously witnessed various legends of the game like Brain Lara, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, and Anil Kumble featuring for their respective teams. England and South Africa are the most successful teams with five titles each.
The tournament’s format is unique as matches are played between two teams of six players. Each game consists of a maximum of five overs for each side. But the title clash will see each team bowl five overs comprising eight balls, up from the six deliveries in normal matches. Barring the wicket-keeper, every member of the fielding side will have to bowl one over, while wides and no-balls will count as two runs. Batsmen are forced to retire at 31 but can come back in once all other batsmen have been dismissed or have retired.
India squad:
Robin Uthappa (c)
A veteran of limited-overs cricket, Uthappa has made significant contributions to Indian cricket with his explosive batting and sharp fielding. Known for his stunning performances in T20 formats, he played a crucial role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup win.
Kedar Jadhav
An all-rounder with the ability to change the game, Jadhav is celebrated for his innovative batting style and handy off-spin bowling. He has been a key player in various IPL franchises and has represented India in ODIs and T20s, showcasing his skill in high-pressure situations.
Stuart Binny
A versatile all-rounder, Binny has represented India in Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Known for his powerful hitting and effective medium-pace bowling, he has also made a mark in the IPL, contributing both with bat and ball.
Manoj Tiwary
Tiwary is a talented batsman renowned for his elegant stroke play. He has been a stalwart in Indian domestic cricket and has had his share of international appearances, contributing significantly to India’s middle-order batting.
Shahbaz Nadeem
An accomplished left-arm spinner, Nadeem has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket and has represented India in ODIs. His ability to control the game with his spin bowling is a key asset for the team.
Bharat Chipli
Chipli, known for his aggressive batting style, has made notable contributions in domestic cricket and the IPL. His experience and ability to play big innings will be crucial in the fast-paced format of the Hong Kong Sixes.
Shreevats Goswami (WK)
A skilled wicketkeeper-batsman, Goswami has represented India at various levels and has been a vital player in domestic circuits. His quick reflexes behind the stumps and ability to score runs rapidly make him an invaluable player for the team.
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament on November 1.
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File photo of Indian women’s cricket team.© X/@BCCI
India are set to take on Australia in their final group game at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on October 13. Australia are all but through to the semi-finals but the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side has its fate hanging on its own hands. Apart from these two teams, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan form the Group A. The top two sides will make it to the knockouts. Sri Lanka are already eliminated from the tournament after losing their first three matches but the rest four teams are still in contention for two semi-final spots from the group.
Here is how India can make it to the semi-finals –
Scnenario 1: India beat Australia by a huge margin
India need to beat Australia by such a massive margin in the game that their Net Run Rate goes past that of the six-time champions. Such a case will confirm India of a semi-final entry with 6 points.
Scnenario 2: India beat Australia by a small margin
If India beat Australia but fail to surpass their NRR, they would need New Zealand to either lose one of their matches. If New Zealand win both their games, India would need both of New Zealand’s victories to come by such small margins that the White Ferns’ NRR remains less than that of Harmanpreet Kaur and co.
Scnenario 3: India vs Australia gets abandoned
In this case, India will reach to 5 points while Australia will make it to the semi-finals with 7 points to their credit. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side would then want New Zealand to lose one of its remaining two matches. If the White Ferns win a game and their other match gets abandoned, India’s NRR needs to be more than that of New Zealand to enter the semi-finals.
Scenario 4: India lose to Australia
If India lose to Australia, the latter team will advance to the semi-finals. In this case, the Harmanpreet-led side would want New Zealand to lose to Sri Lanka by a huge margin, and then beat Pakistan by a small gap. Such a case will see India advance to the semi-final on the basis of a better NRR than New Zealand’s.
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