India are through to the finals of the T20 World cup after their semi-final match against England was called off due to rain. England had high hopes of finally winning the tournament since it last did so in 2009 when the tournament first began.
The rules of the tournament state that a minimum of 10 overs need to be played, with both teams facing at least 5 overs, for the to be a result.
With no reserve days to cater for a situation such as this where a game can not be played, then the highest-ranking team progresses through to the next round.
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As India were unbeaten in the tournament so far and were top of Group A, whilst England were runners up in Group B having lost their opening match to South Africa, India progressed through to the T20 World Cup finals on the virtue of their ranking.
A gutted England side could only sit in the stands and watch as the rain washed away any hopes they had of getting through to the finals.
This recent event has forced pressure on the ICC to include a reserve day to cater for days when play has to be abandoned.
An ICC spokesman responded to the query about introducing reserve days saying:
“The ICC T20 World Cups are short, sharp events where reserve days are factored in for the final.”
“Allowing for any other reserve days would have extended the length of the event, which isn’t feasible. There is a clear and fair alternative should there be no play in any of the semi-finals with the winner of the group progressing.”
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Even though it meant her team progressed through to the finals of the T20 World Cup without a ball even being bowled, India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur also supported the introduction of a reserve game into the tournament format going on to say:
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t get a game, but they are the rules and we have to follow them,”
“Having reserve days in the future will be a great idea.”
Australia, who have won the T20 World Cup title 4 times will be hoping that they do not suffer the same fate as England seeing that they are the runners up in Group A and are scheduled to play South Africa who top Group B in Thursday’s semi-final match.
Should South Africa progress through to the finals, it will be the first time that either India or South Africa have ever made it to the finals of the T20 World Cup.
