India and USA face off in a T20 World Cup match.
Cricket might be as foreign to most Americans as driving on the left-hand side. However, with Monank Patel’s men doing the unthinkable against Pakistan at the grandest stage, fans and followers of the United States of America (USA) would expect the co-hosts to punch above their weight against Rohit Sharma’s Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday.
Billed as an India versus ‘Mini India’ clash, the outcome of match No.25 of the ICC event will end the unbeaten run of either the 2007 world champions or the newest giant killers in T20I cricket. Unbeaten India and USA have everything to play for in the Group A showdown at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
USA’s Stunning Victory Over Pakistan
Considered one of the biggest upsets in the T20 World Cup, USA upstaged India’s arch-rivals Pakistan to strengthen its bid for the Super 8 stage of the ICC tournament. It goes without saying that the USA are not favourites against India in the upcoming World Cup encounter. However, the same side met Pakistan as the underdogs at the T20 World Cup and stunned the entire cricket fraternity. Is there another upset on the cards? USA has the same number of points as India in the Group A standings after two matches. The co-hosts outclassed Canada and Pakistan before taking on leaders India on Long Island.
India’s Road to the Super 8 Stage
Fresh from an impressive win over arch-rivals Pakistan, Rohit’s Team India is one win away from punching their tickets for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. After playing out a low-scoring thriller, India will aim for a much-improved batting show against the USA in New York. All eyes are on Aaron Jones and Jasprit Bumrah. USA’s Jones is the second-highest run-getter at the T20 World Cup. Pace ace Bumrah masterminded India’s win over Pakistan and the pacer has picked up five wickets for 20 runs in the ICC event. USA or India, who is leaving the Big Apple as the frontrunner for Super 8?
Super 8 Qualification Scenario
Why Pakistan Is Closely Watching the India vs USA Clash
Babar Azam’s Pakistan recorded a comfortable win over Canada to remain alive in the Super 8 race. The 2009 world champions improved their net run rate to 0.191 after registering the first win of the 2024 World Cup. If India beats the USA and the co-hosts lose all of their remaining games, Pakistan can take the second spot by recording a massive win in its final group game. If the USA scores a single point in the remaining games or Pakistan loses a point due to a washout, the Green Army will be out of the T20 World Cup.
Key Points About the India vs USA Encounter
India is a win away from entering the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.
USA and India are the only unbeaten teams in Group A.
Five members of the USA squad were born in India.
USA star Harmeet Singh played an IPL game under Rahul Dravid’s watch.
Aaron Jones is the second-highest scorer at the T20 World Cup 2024.
Possible Outcomes
India and USA face off– If India Wins
A victory for India will mean that the former champions will advance to the next stage, where they will join South Africa and Australia — the two teams so far to have made it to the ‘Super 8s’. That result will also breathe new life into Pakistan’s campaign that stayed alive after their win over Canada. However, Pakistan will hope that India registers a big win over the USA and seriously dents the net run-rate of the American team, which at present is better than Pakistan’s.
But even if the USA loses to India, they will have a chance to progress to the ‘Super 8s’ with a win over Ireland in their last match, which will make all other remaining games in the group irrelevant and eliminate the other three teams.
India and USA face off- If USA Wins
In case the USA’s dream run in their tournament debut continues with another upset win, they will go through to the ‘Super 8s’. However, that result will not favour Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland. If India loses to the US and wins their last match against minnows Canada, they will join the co-hosts as the two teams in ‘Super 8s’ from Group A, putting the remaining three out of the race.
