India vs West Indies: A Crucial Clash at Eden Gardens Awaits!

High Stakes for India and West Indies

Kolkata: The reigning champions, India, are set to take on the West Indies in a pivotal match at Eden Gardens this Sunday. This encounter serves as a virtual quarterfinal, with the victor advancing to the semifinals alongside South Africa from Group A. However, complications may arise if the match is interrupted by rain or other unforeseen circumstances.

Unlike traditional quarterfinals, there is no reserve day allocated for this match. Should inclement weather disrupt play, both teams will receive one point each, resulting in a tie in points.

In such a scenario, the determination of semifinal qualification will hinge on the Net Run Rate (NRR). Currently, the West Indies hold an advantage with a net run rate of +1.791, while India sits at -0.100, meaning the hosts could face elimination if the match does not conclude with a win.

Fortunately for fans, the weather forecast for Kolkata on Sunday looks promising, with no rain expected. Daytime temperatures are projected to reach 34°C, cooling down to a pleasant 25-26°C by the time the match begins.

India enters this crucial match following a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their second Super 8s game at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They previously lost to South Africa and currently have two points from two matches.

On the other hand, the West Indies approach this do-or-die match after a nine-wicket loss to South Africa, the T20 World Cup 2024 runners-up, in their second Super 8s encounter at Narendra Modi Stadium. Shai Hope's squad secured a significant win against Zimbabwe in their opening Super 8s match, also accumulating two points from two games.