In the Super-8 match of ICC T20 World Cup 2026, West Indies has completely changed the equation of Group-1 by registering a huge victory of 107 runs over Zimbabwe. This match played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has increased the concern of the Indian team, because now the battle of Net Run Rate (NRR) has become more difficult.
Batting first, West Indies made a big score of 254/6. Shimron Hetmyer played a stormy innings of 85 runs in 34 balls, while Rovman Powell made an important contribution by scoring a quick half-century. In reply, Zimbabwe disintegrated under the pressure of the target. In bowling, Gudakesh Moti made the match one-sided by taking four wickets. With this big win, West Indies’ net run rate has become the best in the group.
Latest status of Group-1
Now West Indies and South Africa have two points each in Group-1, but due to better run rate, West Indies is on top. South Africa is in second place. India is in third place after losing its first match and its net run rate is in negative. Zimbabwe is at number four.
Super-8 Group 1 Points Table
West Indies – 1 Match, 1 Win, 0 Loss, 2 Points, Net Run Rate +5.35
South Africa – 1 Match, 1 Win, 0 Loss, 2 Points, Net Run Rate +3.80
India – 1 Match, 0 Win, 1 Loss, 0 Points, Net Run Rate -3.80
Zimbabwe – 1 Match, 0 Win, 1 Loss, 0 Points, Net Run Rate -5.35
India has already lost to South Africa. Now he has to play both his matches against Zimbabwe (Chennai) and West Indies. To keep the hopes of semi-finals alive, the team will have to win both the matches by a big margin so that the run rate can improve.
What are the paths for India?
Equation-1: South Africa still has 2 matches to play, so if the African team wins both its remaining matches, then it will gain 4 points and its total points will become 6. In such a situation, West Indies can stop at 2 or 4 points. If India reaches 4 points by winning both its matches and its run rate is better, then it can reach the semi-finals by finishing second.
Equation-2: If West Indies beats South Africa, then three teams – India, South Africa and West Indies – can have 4 points each (assuming India wins both its matches). Then the decision will be taken on the basis of net run rate. India is in greatest danger here because its early defeat has hurt the run rate.
Pressure will increase in the next matches
India’s next match is against Zimbabwe. South Africa and West Indies will also face each other on the same day. The results of these two matches will make the picture of Group-1 almost clear.
