India's World Cup Semifinal Battle: How Women in Blue Can Still Qualify

With three teams -- Australia, South Africa, and England -- already securing a place in the top four, India and New Zealand remain the leading contenders for the final spot as they prepare to face each other in a do-or-die match.

A victory against the White Ferns on Thursday will secure India's place in the semifinal, but a loss would leave them in misery as the Women in Blue will need to rely on other results.

If India suffer a defeat against the Sophie Devine-led side, they'll have to beat Bangladesh in their final group-stage encounter on Sunday and hope for the New Zealand to lose their last group stage contest to England.

In that case, India and New Zealand will finish with six points each and their qualification will depend on their Net Run Rate (NRR). Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. are currently tied with New Zealand on four points but are placed above them courtesy of a higher NRR.

The India vs New Zealand contest, if washed out, will also benefit the hosts even if they lose to Bangladesh. However, terms and conditions apply. Even in this scenario, they'll gain the advantage only if England beat New Zealand and also if Sri Lanka and Pakistan don't get to six points on the table.

India are to face New Zealand and Bangladesh at the same venue in Navi Mumbai, and if both their matches get washed out, they'll be through the semi-final. But then again, England will have to beat the Kiwis, or that encounter too will have to be washed out.

In the case of the above scenario, India will finish with six points, getting a point each from the washed-out games. In addition to this, if Sri Lanka or Pakistan finish at six points, the Women in Blue will progress to the semi-final, given a higher NRR.

India and New Zealand will face off on Thursday at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

- IANS