"We can knock Australia out" - Aakash Chopra on IND vs AUS 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has noted that India have a great chance to knock Australia out of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The two teams will square off in their final Group 1 Super 8 game in Saint Lucia on Monday, June 24.
The Men in Blue registered emphatic wins against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in their first two Super 8 games and are perched atop Group 1. On the other hand, the Aussies thrashed the Bangla Tigers in their first Super 8 game but suffered a loss to the Afghans in their last match.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that Monday's game presents India with a chance to eliminate Australia from the tournament.
"The moment we were waiting for has arrived. We can knock Australia out. If we beat Australia, not only will we finish No. 1, we can end Australia's tournament. It won't guarantee but it could be Australia tata bye-bye. It is possible," he said (0:01).
The former India opener noted that Australia's loss to Afghanistan has ensured riveting action on the final day of the Super 8s.
"Australia have lost to Afghanistan. The match was on a turning pitch on which the Afghanistan team scored a lot of runs after they were invited to bat first. After that, they restricted Australia, won the game, gave them a little bit of a beating, and because of that the last game has become very interesting," Chopra observed.
Afghanistan stunned Australia by 21 runs in Saint Vincent on Saturday, June 22. They posted 148/6 after being asked to bat first and bundled Pat Cummins and company out for 127.
"If India win today's match, our qualification is certain" - Aakash Chopra
![India have a net run rate of 2.425. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/65efc-17192000244474-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra noted that India are virtually assured of a semi-final berth irrespective of Monday's results.
"If India win today's match, our qualification is certain. God forbid, even if we lose, our qualification is almost certain unless we lose by an unimaginable margin, like say 100 runs, because our net run rate is already so high. We defeated Afghanistan and Bangladesh by huge margins, which means we have given ourselves a cushion," he explained (2:30).
However, the cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out the importance of finishing as the table toppers.
"However, if we lose, there is a possibility that we finish at No. 2 instead of No. 1. It doesn't make a difference otherwise if we finish at No. 2, we have to go to Guyana, but if we finish at No. 1, there will be an advantage. We will be through if there is rain in that semi-final," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra observed that Australia's qualification will also be virtually assured if they beat India.
"Australia's story is that you will have to defeat us in the last match. If you beat us and get two points, your qualification will be almost confirmed as Afghanistan's net run rate is quite low. They are playing their last match against Bangladesh on the same pitch they defeated Australia. They will also know the margin with which they would have to win, but I think it will be too far," he reasoned.
Australia's net run rate (0.223) is superior to that of Afghanistan (-0.650) and Bangladesh (-2.489). Even if the Aussies lose to India, a Bangladesh win against Afghanistan will likely help them qualify for the semi-finals.