Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul turned on the style as Team India chased down Scotland’s 86-run target with 81 deliveries and eight wickets to spare on Wednesday to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup alive. After crushing defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand, a second consecutive win preserves the Men in Blues’ outside chance of creeping into the top two spots in Super 12 Group 2. 

Celebrating his 33rd win, skipper Virat Kohli won the toss for the first time in the World Cup as India put Scotland to bat first. Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each and Jasprit Bumrah’s two scalps saw him become India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is as Scotland were bundled out for just 85. 

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In reply, Rahul smashed 50 runs off 19 deliveries, while Rohit scored 30 off 16, as the two stitched a 70-run opening partnership to help India chased the target in just 6.3 overs in a major boost to their net run rate. 

However, team India’s journey to the next stage of the T20 World Cup depends on a number of other factors. Results of other teams and net run rates come into play as Virat Kohli and company are still fourth in the Super 12 Group 2 standings. 

Realistically, their chances of making it into the Super 12 heavily depends on Afghanistan defeating New Zealand, as the Kiwis will in all likelihood not have any problems taking two points against Namibia. 

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Assuming India beat Namibia in their final encounter and Afghanistan beat the Kiwis, all three of them will be tied on six points each, with net run rate coming into play to decide which team goes through. 

Currently, India’s net run rate (+1.619) is better than both Afghanistan (+1.481) and New Zealand (+1.277). 

If the upcoming results go their way, India will finish tied at the second spot – only two teams from the group qualify for the next stage – and will need their net run rate to make their case. 

New Zealand defeated Namibia earlier today, a big dent in India’s campaign. The Kiwis are set to play Afghanistan on Sunday.