They were table-toppers at one stage, but India are now languishing right at the bottom of the points tally of the Commonwealth Bank Series with 10 points and a negative run-rate. Australia currently top the table with 14 points, while Sri Lanka are second with 11 points.
What do India need to do to qualify for the finals? Do they still stand a chance? Continue reading below
In a way, the equation is simple and straight-forward for India.
Win the next two games and they are sure of a place in the finals.
The good thing for India is that they don’t need to do anything extra-ordinary. A win by the narrowest possible margin against both Australia and Sri Lanka will suffice. In such a scenario, India will end up with 18 points and only one of Australia and Sri Lanka can match or beat them on points.
What if India lose one of the games?
Mathematically they can still make it to the finals, but then it will depend how the results of other matches pan out. Let us examine the different scenarios.
Scenario 1
Aus (18) beat SL (11) on Feb 24
Aus (22) beat Ind (10) on Feb 26
Ind (14) beat SL (11) on feb 28
Australia will be through, while the second finalist will be decided by the result of last league match between Australia and Sri Lanka on March 2. If Sri Lanka lose or the match ends in a tie / no result, then India will be through. If Sri Lanka win, Sri Lanka will be through and India will be eliminated.
Scenario2
Aus (18) beat SL (11)
Ind (14) beat Aus (18)
SL (15) beat Ind (14)
Australia and Sri Lanka will be through to the finals, irrespective of what happens in the last league match.
Scenario3
SL (15) beat Aus (14)
Aus (18) beat Ind (10)
Ind (14) beat SL (15)
Australia and Sri Lanka will be through to the finals, irrespective of what happens in the last league match.
Scenario4
SL (15) beat Aus (14)
Ind (14) beat Aus (14)
SL (19) beat Ind (14)
Sri Lanka will be through, while the second finalist will be decided by the result of the last league match between Australia and the Lankans. If Australia lose, both Australia and India will tie on points, and the net run-rate will decide the second finalist. Any other result (a win for Australia/ tie / no result) will put Australia through and eliminate India.
