The race for the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2024, which seemed straightforward, has suddenly got a twist. The reason for this twist is not Team India but Australia. Team India easily won both its matches in the Super-8 and its reaching the semi-finals seems almost certain, but Australia changed all the equations.

Surprising everyone, Afghanistan made Group-1 interesting by defeating Australia by 21 runs. While this result has raised hopes for Afghanistan, it has also increased problems for Australia. It has also given some tension to Team India because its next match is against Australia and 40 runs are going to play the most important role in this match.

Apart from India, Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh are also in Group-1 of the Super-8 round. Team India defeated Afghanistan first and then Bangladesh and got 4 points and is in the first position. Australia had easily defeated Bangladesh in its first match.

After India's victory over Bangladesh, Australia and Afghanistan clashed in which it was expected that Australia would win and then both the teams would secure a place in the semi-finals. What happened in Kingstown was different from this and it changed everything.

How will Team India reach the semi-finals?

Afghanistan's win over Australia has completely opened up Group-1. Team India is still at the top and is in a stronger position but it also faces a challenge. Which two teams will reach the semi-finals from Group-1 will be decided on Monday evening when India and Australia will clash.

Team India needs just one win over Australia to reach the semi-finals without any 'ifs and buts' or calculations. It will have 6 points and the team will reach the semi-finals by being at the top. On the other hand, Australia will have to defeat India at any cost, only then it can reach the semi-finals.

But it is important to avoid the 40 run equation

The whole trick is here and this is where the 40 run figure comes in which is important for Team India. Even if Australia somehow defeats India, it is important for Team India that this victory should not be by a big margin.

Team India will have to avoid defeat by a margin of 40 runs or more at all costs. If this happens, Australia will leave Team India behind in terms of net run rate. Not only 40 runs, but Team India will have to somehow stop Australia from winning 31 balls earlier because even after doing this Australia will go ahead in net run rate.

Otherwise, there will be loss

Now if Afghanistan loses to Bangladesh in its last match and on the other hand Australia also defeats India by such a big margin then Team India will definitely reach the semi-finals but it will still suffer a loss.

We will also tell you the reason for this. Actually whether Team India is at the first position or second position in its group, in any case it has to play the second semi-final but there is no provision of reserve day for the second semi-final. Now if the second semi-final gets washed out due to rain then only the team which is at the first position in its group will reach the final. In such a situation, if Team India remains at the second position then it will miss the final. Therefore this figure of 40 runs is very important for Team India.