After a huge 82-run against the curredent Asian Champions Sri Lanka, the Women in Blue have given themselves a chance to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. India suffered a huge defeat against New Zealand in their first match of the tournament and had to climb up the ladder with big wins in the next two games.

Though the win against Sri Lanka only bettered their chances of qualifying for the final four, they are not guaranteed a spot till now. India need to beat the defending champions Australia in the final group match on Sunday to not worry about the NRR. Here's how India can qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

1. India beat Australia while Pakistan and New Zealand lose one game each

The easiest way for India to qualify would be to beat the mighty Australians and hope both Pakistan and New Zealand lose at least one of their two remaining matches. In that case, India will qualify without even worrying about the NRR.

Read Also | ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: AUS-W vs PAK-W match preview; head to head; when and where to watch 

2. Australia lose both of their games

Another way for India to qualify without the NRR in action is the unlikely event of Australia losing their remaining games and India and Pakistan. In that case, India will qualify along with Pakistan or New Zealand fighting for the second spot.

3. India beat Australia, but Pakistan and New Zealand win 

If India beat Australia and Pakistan and New Zealand win their games, in that case, three teams will be in six points and everything then will go to NRR. India then will have to make sure they are beating Australia by a good margin because New Zealand with better NRR can sneak in to grab the second spot.

As per ESPNCricinfo, if India win by 1 run against Australia, then New Zealand will have to win by a combined margin of 38 runs from both games. If India win by 10-runs, then the margin would go up to 48 runs approximately. 

Read Also | India's performance in every Women's T20 World Cup

4. If India lose to Australia

There would still be a chance for India to qualify even if they lose against the defending champions. In that case, they will have to make sure they lose by the smallest of margins and then hope both Pakistan and New Zealand lose at least one of their remaining matches.

Read Also | Harmanpreet Kaur in T20 Women's World Cup: A Name for Milestones and Challenges 

Everything will then come down to NRR and India's 82-run win against Sri Lanka might come in handy during that situation. However, since New Zealand will be playing the final game of the group, they will have a clear idea about the NRR.

Games left in Group A

• 11 October 2024 | 7.30 pm IST | Australia Women vs Pakistan Women
• 12 October 2024 | 3.30 pm IST | New Zealand Women vs Sri Lanka Women
• 13 October 2024 | 7.30 pm IST | India Women vs Australia Women
• 14 October 2024 | 7.30 pm IST | Pakistan Women vs New Zealand Women

Semi-final schedule

• A1 vs B2 - 17 October 2024 | 7.30 pm IST
• A2 vs B1 - 18 October 2024 | 7.30 pm IST

Bengal defeated Himachal Pradesh by 21 runs in the second semi-finals of the Senior Women's T20 Trophy 2024 on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Bengal all-rounder Mita Paul was adjudged player of the match for her 1 wicket and 29 runs with the bat.

Batting first, Bengal struggled early, losing Dhara Gujjar on duck in the first over. But, Richa Ghosh, the Indian wicket-keeper batter promoted as the opener, made sure she built a partnership with vice-captain Tanushree Sarkar for the second wicket.

Richa departed after adding 31 from 28 balls but Tanushree battled in the middle to build another partnership for Bengal, this time with Mita Paul. Tanushree, who made her return to the Bengal team after representing Railways last few years, perished after scoring a run-a-ball 36.

Read Also | Women's Cricket Exclusive: Mita Paul wants to take her game to a new level with a more attacking game plan

Mita Paul tried to take the inning deep but lost her wicket after scoring 30-ball 29. But, it was youngster Sasthi Mondal, whose 11 from 5 balls gave Bengal the finish they were looking for. Bengal finished their first inning on 134/6, giving Himachal a tough task to chase down the total under the lights at Wankhede. 

With a batting lineup consisting of international players like captain Sushma Verma and Harleen Deol, Himachal looked like the team which can chase down Bengal's total. However, Titas Sadhu struck early for Bengal as she removed Sushma Verma in the fourth over. Off-spinner Sushmita Ganguly then clean bowled Nikita Chauhan, to hand Bengal the momentum. 

Read Also | "Accuracy, planning and mental strength - Shiv Sagar Singh's mantra to make Bengal women's best in the country" | Senior Women's T20 Trophy

Though Himachal were trying to build a partnership and take the game deep, Bengal captain Saika Ishaque dismissed Sonal Thakur and Monika Devi in the same over to give Bengal the advantage. Despite a valiant effort from S M Singh (32 from 22 balls), Himachal fell short of the total by 21 runs. Saika Ishaque and Titas Sadhu took two wickets each for Bengal.

In the other semi-final, Mumbai defeated Uttarakhand by 31 runs to enter the final. Bengal and Mumbai will face each other in the final on 12th November at Wankhede Stadium from 4.30 pm IST.

New Zealand so far has received only three ICC trophies, including its recent triumph in the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Funnily, the first win for New Zealand was in the previous generations of fans, a generation that saw the two gorgeous captains Stephen Fleming and Saurav Ganguly.

The second win came in the next generation when the Virat Kohli-dominated Indian test side fell short to the representative of gentleness and calmness, Kane Williamson.

Here are all the three triumphs of New Zealand in the ICC tournaments.

2000: The Champions Trophy

Earlier known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, the Champions Trophy of 2000 was the first-ever ICC tournament that the Kiwis won.

The tournament was hosted in Kenya.

In the quarterfinals, New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 64 runs, advancing towards the seminal where they defeated Pakistan by 4 wickets. 

Coming to bat, Pakistan posted a huge total of 252, based on Saeed Anwar's 104 runs. While chasing, even though the Black Caps trembled a bit, they managed in the middle with the likes of Roger Twose (87), Nathan Astle (49), and Craig McMillan (51*).

In the final, they met the Indians. The Men in Blue, who were enjoying an undefeated streak in the tournament, fell short of winning the final despite Ganguly's 117-run innings.

Chris Cairns' unbeaten 102 led New Zealand to 265/6, winning by four wickets and securing their maiden ICC trophy.

2021: World Test Championship

The second big ICC tournament that New Zealand won was the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021, held in the Oval.

The rain-affected test match saw the Kiwis restricting the Indians to 217 in the first innings. Kyle Jamieson had his standout performance for New Zealand with his bowling figure looking 5/31.

New Zealand took a 32-run lead. However, in the second inning, India's batting crumbled for 170, posting a minimal 139 runs chase for New Zealand.

New Zealand achieved the target, losing 2 wickets, becoming the first ever test champion for the WTC.

2024: ICC T20 Women's World Cup

New Zealand's third ICC title came after they claimed their first Women's T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by 32 runs in the 2024 final.

After posting 158/5, led by Amelia Kerr's 43 and Brooke Halliday's 38, New Zealand restricted South Africa to 126/9 in 20 overs. Kerr also shone with the ball, taking 3/24.

Despite Laura Wolvaardt's strong start for South Africa (33 off 27), their middle order faltered under pressure. This victory marked a remarkable turnaround for New Zealand, who entered the tournament after a 10-match losing streak.

List of ICC Trophies won by New Zealand

In a blow to India's medal chances at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, host city Glasgow has dropped cricket from the Games due to low budget. Glasgow has selected and shortlisted budget-friendly sports for the Games.

Also Read: Top 3 Cricket stadiums in India with better drainage system

Commonwealth Games Federation CEO Katie Sadleir said in a statement, "The 2026 Games will be a bridge to the Commonwealth Games of tomorrow - an exciting first step in our journey to reset and redefine the Games as a truly collaborative, flexible and sustainable model for the future that minimises costs, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances social impact - in doing so increasing the scope of countries capable of hosting."

10 events will be played in 2026 Commonwealth Games

Hockey, badminton, wrestling, shooting, Table tennis, squash, and triathlon have also been dropped to limit the budget and streamline logistics. Only four venues in Glasgow will host the entire Games. The total number of events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be ten, fewer than the 2022 Birmingham edition.

Among the sports that have been removed from the Commonwealth Games, India had finished on the podium in the previous edition in Birmingham in 2022. India had won 61 medals, including 22 gold, in the last edition of the Games. 12 in wrestling, seven each in boxing and table tennis, six in badminton, two each in hockey and squash and one in cricket – more than half of the total medals.

Cricket was re-introduced after 24-year gap

Cricket was re-introduced after a 24-year gap in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in which the Indian women's team won the silver medal. Australia won the gold, beating India in the final, and New Zealand won the bronze. Back in 1998, South Africa had won the men's 50-over gold, with Australia winning silver and New Zealand winning bronze.

The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will start from July 23 in 2026 and will continue till August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Also Read: Neetu David: The Spin Queen of Indian Women’s Cricket Immortalized in the ICC Hall of Fame

Reason behind the exclusion of these sports

The 2026 Commonwealth Games were earlier to be held in Sydney, Australia, but the Kangaroo country had backed out citing financial constraints as the reason. Then Glasgow had shown interest in these games with some conditions, it had presented a plan to organize these games with fewer games, which was approved by the Commonwealth Federation, that is why 6 games have been excluded.

The 2024 T20 Women's World Cup has concluded giving a new winner New Zealand.

New Zealand defeated the South African women by 32 runs, achieving the trophy for the first time.

However, here are some stats to know about the 2024 edition of the trophy.

Batting Records

Highest Runs

Laura Wolvaardt, the skipper of the South African women's team, tops the list with the highest runs. She finished the tournament with 223 runs. Her average counts 44.60. Worlvaart is the only batter in the tournament to surpass 200 runs.

Her teammate Tanzim Brits stands second with 187 runs, and England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge scores 151 runs, standing 3rd in the table.

The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is at the fourth spot securing 150 runs in the tournament.

Best batting average.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur is at the top of the list with an average of 150. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt is the only other batter to have an average above 100. She is in the second spot with an average of 107.00.

Most fours and sixes

Both the Proteas, Wolvaardt, and Brits rule the list smashing 24 and 19 boundaries, respectively.

Dottin smoked nine sixes; no other batter could even clear the fence four times.

Highest Individual Score

SA's Anneke Bosch is at the top, scoring 74* against Australia in the semi-final match. England's Maia Bouchier is the second scoring 62* against Scotland.

Wolvaardt stands third with a score of 57 not out.

Other Records

WI's Deandra Dottin is the only player to register a 150+ strike rate after playing at least 50 balls. She registered a strike rate of 162.16.

Indian skipper Harmanpreet is the only batter to smash multiple half-centuries throughout the tournament.

Read Also: All the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup winners

Bowling Records

Most wickets

New Zealand's Amelia Kerr scalped 15 wickets, registering her name as the bowler to have the most number of wickets in a Women's T20 World Cup edition.

Her average (7.33) is the best among bowlers with at least five scalps.

South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba stands second with 12 wickets.

Best Individual Figures

WI's Karishma Ramharack has the best bowling figures in this tournament. She recorded her best bowling figures (4-0-17-4) against Bangladesh.

The other bowlers with four-fers in the competition are Mair, Australia's Ashleigh Gardner, Dottin, Kerr, and Mlaba.

Best Economy Rate

Australia's Megan Schutt has the best economy rate of 4.07 in the event, among bowlers who delivered at least 15 overs.

England's Sophie Ecclestone (4.38) and Marizanne Kapp (4.64) are next on this list.

Team records

India records the highest total of 172, losing 3 wickets, against Sri Lanka.

South Africa scored 166 against Scotland and New Zealand scored a massive 160 against India. These were the two other scores that touched the 160 mark

India registered an 80-run win against Sri Lanka, while South Africa sealed a similar win against Scotland, making them the top-two largest victories this year in terms of runs.

Indian wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh will miss the home series against New Zealand due to her class 12 board exams as BCCI released the full squad for the three-match ODI home series against New Zealand.

Richa has been playing for the Indian Women's Cricket team since the age of 16 and was not able to give her class 12th board exam during this period. 

Read Also | Kolkata Club Cricket Exclusive: Mohun Bagan announce squads for men's and women's for 2024-25 season

The 21-year-old wicket-keeper batter was replaced by Uma Chetry in the squad. Pace bowling all-rounders Sayali Satghare and Saima Thakor, legspinner Priya Mishra and middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis received their maiden call-ups as Pooja Vastrakar was rested while Asha Sobhana was unavailable for the selection due to injury.

India will play all three WODIs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

India’s squad for the three ODI series against New Zealand: 

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.

IND vs NZ: WODI schedule