Will Indians sideline the Englishmen from the T20 race?

India will face England in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 27 at Providence Stadium in Guyana

India, having topped the Super 8 table, holds a significant advantage. However, there is a strong possibility of rain impacting the match. Here is why India could advance to the T20 World Cup final without playing the semifinal. India’s journey to the semifinal included victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA, with their match against Canada being washed out. They continued their impressive run by defeating Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super 8 matches, securing the top spot in the group. England finished second in Group 2, behind South Africa. They secured wins against the West Indies and the USA but lost to South Africa.

The weather forecast predicts an 88 percent chance of heavy rain in Guyana on the day of the semifinal. Given Guyana’s suboptimal drainage facilities, heavy rain could significantly reduce the chances of play. If the match is washed out, India will automatically qualify for the final due to their higher position on the Super 8 table. Notably, the first semifinal has a reserve day, but the second semifinal does not, due to the one-day gap between the second semifinal and the final. However, the match can be extended by 250 minutes in case of rain delays. This scenario presents an opportunity for India to potentially reach the final without facing England, avenging their defeat in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal.