Asia Cup 2022: India Can Still Reach Final. How? All Scenarios Explained
Asia Cup 2022: India Can Still Reach Final. How? All Scenarios Explained: India reached the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022 last week. A particular stat kept highlighting on social media. The stat was 14 consecutive wins for the Men in Blue in the tournament’s history. Moreover, the 14 wins were stretched across four editions. But, in three nights, India lost two consecutive matches. In addition, this was for the first time in the Asia Cup since 2014. As a result, the loss has left India on the brink of elimination. The Indian team lost to Pakistan on Sunday by five wickets. Men in Blues surrendered to Sri Lanka by 6 wickets. Both the matches took place at the Dubai International Stadium.
No one expected this performance from India on Tuesday night. Moreover, Sri Lanka struggled to get their campaign off to a good start. But a rejuvenated Lankan side faced India. Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh in the group stage to proceed to the Super 4. The Sri Lankan team avenged their defeat against Afghanistan. And finally, after defeating India, Dasun Shanaka’s men qualified for the Asia Cup 2022 final.
The Men in Blues suffered their second straight loss in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2022. They failed to defend a target in excess of 170 runs again. India had set a target of 174 runs for Sri Lanka. But, the Sri Lankan team chased it down with 6 wickets in hand and a ball to spare. The last two overs were an exact replica of how India surrendered to Pakistan on Sunday.
India’s performance
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ineffective bowling in the concluding overs cost India again. But, the young Arshdeep’s best efforts went in vain. He had only 6 runs to defend in both matches.
India’s inefficient bowling in the power play led to Sri Lanka’s win. Yuzvendra Chahal’s three wickets led India back into the match. But, the pacers lacked the incisive edge and failed the team in the death overs.
The second straight defeat means India is now on the brink of elimination. But Rohit Sharma’s team still has a chance to qualify for the final.
India’s Qualification scenario for the Asia Cup 2022 finals
1) Afghanistan has to beat Pakistan.
2) India has to beat Afghanistan.
3) Sri Lanka has to beat Pakistan.
4) India’s NRR has to be greater than Afghanistan and Pakistan.
10 months back, in the very same country, India’s hopes depended on Afghanistan. Afghanistan had to beat New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup for India to stay in the game. On Wednesday, India hopes that Afghanistan beats Pakistan in their second Super 4 tie. This can keep the Indian team alive in the Asia Cup tournament.
Sri Lanka: The Lankans have reached the finals after their second straight win. India needs Sri Lanka to beat Pakistan. Moreover, Sri Lanka has to beat Pakistan by a big margin.
Pakistan: If Pakistan beats Afghanistan on Wednesday then the Indian team will be out of the Asia Cup 2022. India needs Babar Azam’s team to lose to Sri Lanka. For India to be in game, Pakistan has to lose to Afghanistan by a relatively close margin.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan will be India’s last opponent in the Super 4 stage. But before that, they would need Afghanistan to beat Pakistan. India then has to beat the Afghans by a big margin to keep their chances alive.
If Afghanistan loses, both India and Afghanistan will bid adieu to the tournament. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will have a face-off in the final. If Afghanistan wins against Pakistan, India has to beat Afghanistan in their final Super 4 game by a big margin. Moreover, Sri Lanka has to maintain their winning streak and defeat Pakistan.