Team India will get the opportunity to exact revenge on their sad defeat in the 2023 World Cup final at home after eight months, albeit in a different format. In their second Super Eight encounter in Group 2 of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, Australia was shocked by Afghanistan on Sunday in Kingstown, leaving the 2021 champions in a vulnerable position. Had Mitchell Marsh’s team defeated the Rashid Khan-led team, they would have almost certainly advanced to the semifinals with India; instead, the loss left their prospects in shambles, with the match against India serving as the decider.
The Australians are willing to take on the task of defeating India and advancing to the semifinals for the third time in a row, but they will need to overcome the significant influence of rain in St. Lucia.
Monday morning’s outlook is ‘Overcast with occasional rain and thunderstorm.’ The day’s hourly breakdown also shows that there was a probability of over 65% of precipitation between 7 and 9 AM local time, which is when there was a potential of heavy rainfall. But during the match hours, which start at 10:30 AM local time, gloomy weather is predicted. Though if St. Lucia has intense rains right before the game, like they have for the past 24 hours, the start time is probably going to be postponed.
Given the likelihood of thunderstorms in the afternoon and the penultimate Super Eight match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, a delayed start might potentially be problematic.
What would happen if India vs. Australia is eliminated?
In the event that rain cancels the Super Eight match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia, India and Australia will split the point. This is because the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not provide a reserve day for Super Eight matches.
India will automatically qualify for the T20 World Cup semifinals for the second consecutive year in the event of a no result. Australia, on the other hand, will finish with just three points from three games. Their only chances of winning would be if Bangladesh were to stun Afghanistan or if the Kingstown Super Eight match washed out as well. If the match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh is a draw, Australia advances with a higher net run rate even though they have the same amount of points from their three games.
