7 Similarities between 2007 World T20 and 2016 World T20: India on the path to glory again?

Last game of the Group Stage was a virtual quarterfinal for India

A jubilant Indian dugout following the win over Australia

In 2007, South Africa and India faced each other in the last game of their group. The equation was simple: If India win, they qualify; if South Africa win, they qualify. However, there was a slight difference – South Africa could qualify even if they lost the game by less than 27 runs. In that case, New Zealand would have been knocked out of the tournament.

In 2016, India played their last game of group stage against Australia, and it was a virtual quarterfinal for both sides. No calculations were required this time, with a win meaning qualification and loss, elimination. In both games, the team winning the toss decided to bat first.

India made 153 in the 2007 game against South Africa and a brilliant display of bowling from RP Singh saw South Africa lose the game by 37 runs, and thus the Proteas could not reach the next stage. In this tournament, India defeated Australia to reach the semis and in the process, sent Australia home.