Team India lost badly in the very first match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. In the match held in Dubai on Friday, 4 October, the New Zealand team defeated India by 58 runs. After this defeat, Team India's journey in the tournament is considered almost over. There seems to be very little hope of going to the semi-finals. On the other hand, this defeat has once again opened the wounds of the 2021 Men's T20 World Cup. At that time also the New Zealand team had defeated India in the first match of the tournament on the same ground. After this, Team India could not reach the semi-finals.

Indian team's journey over?

After the defeat from New Zealand, Team India's journey is considered almost over. The biggest reason is India's big defeat. New Zealand had scored 160 runs while batting first, in response to which Team India somehow managed to score 102 runs and faced a big defeat, losing by 58 runs. Due to this, the Indian team has gone last in the points table. Also the net run rate has become very bad. Team India is currently at 5th position in Group A with an NRR of -2.900 without any points.

The journey of the Indian team is considered to be over because now 3 matches are left and it has become necessary to win all the three matches. In these matches, the team has to face Pakistan first on 6th October. On October 9, there will be a clash with Sri Lanka, which had defeated Team India in the final of the Asia Cup. On October 13, the Indian team has a match against Australia, which is a 6-time champion and often gets defeated.

What needs to be done to reach the semi-finals?

At present, the path to the semi-finals has become very difficult for Team India. If the Indian team loses any match in the remaining 3 matches, then its progress will depend on the results of other teams. But if it has to remain in the top-2 of the group and go to the semi-finals, then the simplest solution is for the Indian team to win all the remaining matches.

The next match is against Pakistan on Sunday 6 October. Pakistan team is at second position with 2 points and net run rate of +1.550 after defeating Sri Lanka by 31 runs. If India is successful in defeating them by a big margin, then the net run rate may improve. Although, the Indian team has done this work in the Asia Cup, but it will not be easy in this tournament. The team will also have a chance to improve the net run rate by defeating Sri Lanka. If the team is successful in winning these two matches and improving NRR, then the path to the semi-finals will become easier.