Why will India play 2nd semi-final of 2024 T20 World Cup irrespective of whether they finish in Group 1 of Super 8?

Team India are one step closer to qualifying for the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. They will play the second semi-final irrespective of where they finish in Group 1 of the Super 8 stage. The second semi-final is scheduled to be played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.

"If India do qualify for the semis they will play their knockout contest in Guyana on June 27," the ICC reported on their website.

India have played all their games in the T20 World Cup, starting from 8:00 PM IST, which is 10:30 AM in the US and the Caribbean Islands. This is mainly due to broadcasters' request to tap into the massive Indian viewers throughout the tournament.

If the Men in Blue finish on top of Group 1, they will face defending champions England. On the other hand, if they finish second, Rohit Sharma and company will face South Africa for a place in the final.

The first semi-final of the global T20 event will be played on Wednesday, June 26, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. It will start at 6:00 AM IST, which is 8:30 PM local time.

---

What happens if 2nd semi-final of the T20 World Cup is disrupted by weather?

The second semi-final will have an additional 250 minutes to complete the match in case of disruptions due to inclement weather conditions. It is worth noting that the first semi-final and the final will have 190 extra minutes to complete the match.

Meanwhile, there is no reserve day for the second semi-final, unlike the first top-four clash and the final, due to a cramped schedule. A decisive result for the second semi-final can only be achieved if both teams bat for at least 10 overs.

In most T20 matches, the team batting second needs to play for at least five overs for a result to be ascertained, and the second semi-final is a unique case. A similar playing condition was used during the semi-finals and final of the T20 World Cup in Australia.