When the match between Zimbabwe and Eire on 17 February was canceled attributable to rain in Baragola, Australia had been instantly compelled to go away. Because the second-placed crew in Group B, Zimbabwe will advance to the Spherical of 8 in Group 1 with India, South Africa and West Indies.
India must face Zimbabwe within the subsequent stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 as Australia had been ignored regardless of fielding a powerful crew. On paper, as an opponent, Zimbabwe may very well be a neater competitors for Group India.
Did not care: Sitanshu Kotak
The Indian crew has been in good kind because the starting of the event. Within the group stage, the defending champions stay unbeaten thus far after enjoying three video games towards USA, Namibia and Pakistan. The Males in Blue will face the Netherlands of their fourth group recreation on February 18th.
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Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stated your entire crew was not involved concerning the Australian cricket crew’s upset marketing campaign. Regardless of which crew India performs, the main target would be the similar: successful. Like many cricket consultants, Kotak had a powerful perception that they’d play towards Australia within the subsequent spherical. On paper, they had been one of many favorites to advance to the semi-finals.
The stunning defeat towards Zimbabwe could have been essentially the most damaging to Australia’s momentum and probabilities on the 2026 T20 World Cup. Kotak opined that the second Zimbabwe defeated Australia, it grew to become clear that staying within the event was not a protected path for Australia.
“Everybody thought that Australia would qualify and be in our group within the Tremendous 8s. We additionally knew about that chance. However once we misplaced to Zimbabwe, we realized that Zimbabwe would possibly find yourself in our group. In the present day’s match between Zimbabwe and Eire was referred to as off attributable to rain,” Sitanshu Kotak advised the media on the pre-match press convention on the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday.
India will play towards Zimbabwe
Group India’s batting coach additional stated that whether or not it’s Zimbabwe or Australia, the crew will take to the sphere to present their finest. Together with Zimbabwe, Suryakumar Yadav’s facet can even need to face South Africa and West Indies in Spherical 8.
“After the match towards Zimbabwe, we regarded on the situations and knew the match towards Sri Lanka can be robust for Australia. I do not assume we care what occurred. We play towards Australia or we play towards Zimbabwe. We’ll simply do our greatest regardless of who we play,” he added.
Rajiv Shukla congratulates Zimbabwe on its progressive growth
BCCI vice chairman Rajiv Shukla wrote on social media that the emergence of the Zimbabwe cricket crew is an effective signal for the cricket ecosystem. He congratulated Chevrons for taking part in high-class cricket within the 2026 T20 World Cup.
This World Cup continues to shock and impress. Australia’s withdrawal and Zimbabwe’s qualification for the Tremendous Eights is a transparent reflection of the game’s rising competitiveness. congratulations @ZimCricketv . pic.twitter.com/RTFgN6KaTm
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) February 17, 2026
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