T20 WC 2026: If India vs West Indies match is canceled due to rain, then who will go to the semi-finals?

India registered a thumping 72-run win over Zimbabwe in their Super 8 Group 1 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 26, 2026. Batting first after Zimbabwe won the toss, India posted a mammoth total of 256/4—the second highest total in T20 World Cup history—which included Abhishek Sharma’s 55 off 30 balls (4 fours, 4 sixes) and Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 50 off 23 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes). Tilak Verma scored unbeaten 44 runs off 16 balls, while Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) scored quickly. This was India’s highest score in T20 WC, which is proof of their return to form after the previous defeat.

In reply, Zimbabwe scored 184/6 with the help of Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97 runs off 59 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes) and Sikandar Raza’s 31 runs off 21 balls. Arshdeep Singh was brilliant with 3/24, keeping the visitors at bay despite opposition from Bennett. Hardik Pandya was adjudged player of the match.

The result eliminated Zimbabwe (0 points, NRR -4.475 after two losses) and ensured South Africa’s semi-final qualification (2 wins, 4 points, NRR +2.890 after beating West Indies by 9 wickets).

Updated Group 1 standings (after 26 Feb matches):

– South Africa: 2 matches, 2 wins, 0 losses, 4 points, NRR +2.890 (qualify)
– West Indies: 2 matches, 1 win, 1 loss, 2 points, NRR +1.791
– India: 2 matches, 1 win, 1 loss, 2 points, NRR -0.100
– Zimbabwe: 2 matches, 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 points, NRR -4.475 (out)

India and West Indies are level on points, making their match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1, 2026 almost a knockout. The winning team will reach the semi-finals. If the match is abandoned due to rain (both get 1 point), West Indies will qualify due to better NRR (+1.791 vs -0.100). Modern drainage at the Eden Gardens has reduced the risk of the match being washed out, but India will have to win outright, ignoring NRR calculations, to progress. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (India) and Shai Hope (West Indies) will face each other in this high-stakes decider.