Still matches left: How did India still make it to the World Cup semi-finals?

NAVI MUMBAI: India qualified for the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup by defeating New Zealand. India became the fourth team to reach the semi-finals with one match remaining, with six points from six matches. New Zealand, which lost to India, has four points with one match remaining. Sri Lanka is in a similar situation. All three teams will have six points if India loses to Bangladesh in their last match and New Zealand and Sri Lanka win their last matches.

Some cricket fans are wondering how India qualified for the semi-finals when the possibility of all three teams tying on points at the end of the group stage exists. The fact is that rain helped India but cheated New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Even if the points were equal at the end of the group stage, India's entry into the semi-finals is assured because it won more matches.

India did not have a single match abandoned due to rain. However, New Zealand and Sri Lanka lost two of their matches due to rain. Both won only one match each. Even if both teams win the last matches, they will have only two wins to their credit. India has already won three. If India defeats Bangladesh in the last match, the total number of wins will be four.

Meanwhile, things will not be easy for India in the semi-finals. The other teams that have entered the semi-finals are the reigning champions and very strong Australia, former champions England, and South Africa, who are playing in brilliant form. India was defeated when they faced all three teams. However, the fact that India lost after putting up a good performance against all three opponents will give the team hope.