India in rare do-or-die tie in ICC tourney
After a frustrating start due to weather interruptions, the Champions Trophy has sprung to life. The situation is volatile in Group B with India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan all having two points each after a win and a loss. South Africa defeated Sri Lanka and India beat Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s 19-run win over South Africa and Sri Lanka’s defeat of India has thrown the group wide open.
All four teams have a chance of making it to the semi-final. Following India’s game against the Proteas on Sunday, Sri Lanka play Pakistan on Monday. However, if both games are washed out, India and South Africa will qualify.
For Virat Kohli’s side, the must-win situation in their last game in an ICC event is rare. Such has been India’s consistency that in the last seven ICC tournaments dating back to the 2011 World Cup, they have faced this situation only twice.
UNLUCKY IN 2012
In the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, India suffered a ninewicket thrashing against Australia. They bounced back by beating Pakistan. However, Pakistan threw the group wide open by defeating Australia and South Africa.
Heading into the last play-off match, India needed to defeat South Africa by a certain margin. After Pakistan beat Australia by 32 runs, India needed to beat South Africa by the same margin, but only managed a one-run win. Thus, the loss to Australia derailed India’s hopes.
In the World Twenty20 in 2016, India started poorly by losing to New Zealand by 47 runs but bounced back to beat Pakistan.
DETERMINED IN 2016
But New Zealand entered the semifinals undefeated, which meant only one place was available between three teams. Australia kept hopes alive with wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh. Thus, India had to win against Bangladesh and Australia. In a dramatic match, India scraped home by one run after Mushfiqur Rahim’s team choked in Bangalore.
In the Mohali shootout, Australia slammed 160/6 but Kohli’s 82* and his 67-run stand with MS Dhoni helped India win to enter the semis.
Heading into the final match at the Oval, India would be aiming to repeat what they had done in the 2007 World T20. India won a high-stakes encounter against an undefeated Proteas to not only enter the semis but knocked South Africa out in the process.