We have Group 2 action on Day 18 of the T20 World Cup with the Netherlands taking on Zimbabwe in the opener before India and Bangladesh battle in a match with the winner in a great position to advance and the loser needing results to go their way to progress to the semi-finals.
Here is a look at the latest Group 2 games with odds from BetXchange.
Netherlands VS Zimbabwe – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Zimbabwe has a shot at history here. Not fancied before the tournament, Zimbabwe is in a position where wins in its final two group games – plus a Bangladesh defeat somewhere along the way – will see them make it into the semi-finals of a major tournament. They were close in the 2003 World Cup, where they made the Super Sixes, but that final hurdle proved too much.
In 2022 they have to beat the Netherlands in Adelaide to get a shot at India in the final group game. The Netherlands was strong in the qualifying phase for the Super 12s, but they have not managed to carry that form into the latter stages and have yet to pick up a single point at this stage.
Zimbabwe’s win against Pakistan was huge, and it is the all-around play of Wesley Madhevere that has powered this team forward. He clubbed a brilliant 79 in nine overs against the Proteas but had no batting help from his teammates. Expect this to be tight and tense – four of the Netherlands’ six games this World Cup have ended in close decisions – but I like Zimbabwe to come out on top.
India VS Bangladesh – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Bangladesh has nothing to lose here, which could be a problem for India. Noted for their lack of form before the tournament, Bangladesh got past associate members Zimbabwe and the Netherlands to be level on points with India at this stage. A win for them here – in a tournament with upsets like Ireland over England – will put India in all kinds of trouble when it comes to qualifying for the semi-finals.
History, however, is not on their side. In 11 previous T20Is between the neighbors, India has won 10, and Bangladesh just one. India has also played at this venue 28 more times than Bangladesh – 29 to one – so all the metrics point to India here.
India is in this position because they could not deal with the pace bowling of the Proteas on Sunday. The pitch in Perth was a different animal, however, and they should be much more comfortable here against an attack with less pace on a wicket that isn’t going to be nearly as aggressive.
There are questions about the Indian batting lineup. KL Rahul has been bad. He has yet to make it into double figures in an innings this tournament, and his batting is too tentative for his usual playing style. This needs to be the match where he breaks out of his slump. I think this is the right team and the right time for him to do so, and I like India to win and Rahul to go off at 28/10 as top batsman.
