'Slow pitch' worries? India's golden opportunity to reach T20 semifinals

BARBADOS: The ICC Twenty20 World Cup group matches will see curtains with Afghanistan's match against West Indies. And now, the more gruelling test comes as 'super eight round'. India will face Afghanistan on June 20. Two groups of four teams each compete against each other in the Super Eight. The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals. Currently, the situation is conducive for India to get past the hurdles and reach the semifinals.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia are in the first group which includes India. If not for any upsets, both India and Australia will cruise into the semifinals from the group. But it would be foolish to write off both Bangladesh and Afghanistan; touted as the dark horses. Both teams have strong spin bowlers who would fare well in the slow pitches of West Indies. The Aussies made it to the last eight after winning four out of four. India won all the other matches except one against Canada which was abandoned due to rain.

India will face Bangladesh on the 22nd and Australia on the 24th. South Africa, defending champions England and hosts West Indies are also in the second group of the Super Eight, along with the USA. The underdogs USA pulled off a historic feat by defeating favourites Pakistan in one major upset of the tournament.

India has hitherto played only in the USA and will have to test new waters with the game venue changing to West Indies. Some concerns are also clouding since India was trounced the last time they played a T20 match in the West Indies.