The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies, will commence on June 1st.
According to reports, the International Cricket Council has granted the Indian team a favorable time slot for a potential semi-final showdown in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, India will strive to advance to the knockout stage through their group matches.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, if Rohit Sharma’s team advances to the semi-finals, they will compete in the second match scheduled for Providence, Guyana. This development holds significant importance due to the considerable difference in timing between the two semi-finals.
The first semi-final, set to take place in Tarouba, Trinidad, kicks off at 8:30 PM local time, a challenging 6:00 AM for Indian viewers. This timing presents a hurdle for Indian fans keen on witnessing their team’s crucial match.
On the other hand, the second semi-final, potentially featuring India, offers a much more favorable timing of 10:30 AM local time, translating to a comfortable 8:00 PM in India.
This aligns perfectly with prime viewing hours, potentially resulting in a surge in viewership for the highly anticipated clash. The World Cup final is set for June 29th as a day game, starting at 10:00 AM local time (7:30 PM IST).
Notably, the second semi-final won’t include a reserve day, with only an extra 250 minutes allocated for possible delays. However, both the first semi-final and the final will have reserve days available in case of unforeseen circumstances.
To ensure a fair contest even if a reserve day is utilized, a minimum of ten overs for each team will be mandatory to determine a decisive result in the knockout matches.
Additionally, the standard rule requiring the team batting second to face at least five overs for a result in case of interruption will also be applicable in the World Cup.
With 55 matches spread across nine venues in the West Indies and the US, cricket enthusiasts are poised for an exhilarating month of action. The tournament guarantees to be a spectacle, and India’s advantageous semi-final position adds an extra dimension of intrigue.
