T20 World Cup: India Backs NZ to Triumph Over Australia - Here’s Why

In the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Harmanpreet Kaur's team will be rooting for New Zealand to secure a victory against Australia in their upcoming match on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

India recently clinched a six-wicket win against Pakistan, but their hopes of advancing in the tournament still hang in the balance. Winning all of their remaining matches may not be sufficient for them to reach the semi-finals due to a poor net run rate of -1.217, primarily stemming from a hefty 58-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening game.

On Tuesday, October 8, Australia will take on New Zealand in a critical Group A matchup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Australian team, led by Alyssa Healy, currently boasts a net run rate of +1.908, while New Zealand sits at +2.900.

For Harmanpreet Kaur's squad, keeping a close watch on this game is essential, as its outcome could significantly influence which two teams progress to the semi-finals from the group.

Implications of AUS vs NZ Result for India

If Australia, India, and New Zealand manage to win all their remaining matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, several scenarios could unfold:

If New Zealand defeats Australia:

   - New Zealand would end the group stage with 8 points (4 wins from 4 matches).

   - If India then beats Australia, they would secure 6 points (3 wins from 4 matches) and directly qualify for the semi-finals.

   - Australia would finish third with 4 points (2 wins from 4 matches) and be eliminated.

If Australia overcomes New Zealand:

   - In this case, India must defeat Australia to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

   - If India wins, New Zealand, Australia, and India would all end up with 6 points each (3 wins from 4 matches). The teams with the superior net run rates would move on.

   - If India loses to Australia, they will be eliminated from the tournament.

New Zealand's Track Record Against Australia

New Zealand and Australia have faced each other 51 times in Women’s T20 Internationals since 2006. Out of those encounters, New Zealand has emerged victorious 21 times, while Australia has won 28 matches. Additionally, there has been one tied match and one that ended without a result. In the context of the Women’s T20 World Cup, New Zealand holds a record of 3 wins to 4 losses against Australia. In their last 10 completed Women’s T20I matches, Australia has a dominant 8-2 lead over New Zealand.