In the electrifying ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, India stormed to a resounding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, keeping their semifinal dreams alive under Suryakumar Yadav's leadership. The spotlight now shifts to Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1, where India faces a crucial showdown against the West Indies—a virtual quarterfinal.
The winning team between India and the West Indies will secure a spot in the semifinals. India's triumph over Zimbabwe has already sent South Africa into the semis from Group 1, while Zimbabwe's journey ends here.
...Net Run Rate Could Be the Deciding Factor
Fans are abuzz with questions: What if rain washes out the India-West Indies match? If inclement weather forces a cancellation, both teams will receive one point each, leaving them with three points each. However, India's fate could hang in the balance due to net run rate (NRR).
The West Indies boast a NRR of +1.791, fueled by their emphatic 101-run victory over Zimbabwe. In contrast, India's current NRR stands at -0.100, trailing behind. Should the match be called off, the superior NRR would propel the West Indies into the semifinals, leaving India out in the cold.
Source: aajtak
This would inevitably cast a shadow over Captain Suryakumar Yadav's tactics, particularly his decision to hold back Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya against Zimbabwe, opting instead for Shivam Dube for two costly overs that leaked 46 runs. A win by 108 runs or more against Zimbabwe would have elevated India's NRR above the West Indies, securing their place even if rain intervenes.
According to the weather forecast, skies over Kolkata are expected to remain clear on Sunday, March 1. The day will witness temperatures around 34 degrees Celsius, cooling to 25-26 degrees in the evening during match time. No rain is predicted at 7 PM when the high-stakes match is set to begin.
As of now, the weather forecast is a beacon of hope for Indian fans. All eyes are on this high-voltage encounter, where losing means bidding goodbye to the tournament...
