Reserve day in the first semi-final, there is no provision for it in India's match, why is that so?

The Super 8 matches are over and four teams are ready to play in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. India, Afghanistan, South Africa and England have made it to the last four. In the first semi-final, Afghanistan will face South Africa while in the second match India will face England. Both matches will be played on June 27.

Reserve day in the first match

A reserve day has been kept for the first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan. If it rains during the match and the match is not completed even after reducing the number of overs, then it will be played on the reserve day. The match will be resumed the next day from the same place where it was stopped. 60 minutes have been kept extra in the first day's play and 190 minutes in the reserve day. If the match does not result on the reserve day due to rain, then South Africa will be able to make it to the final due to being at the top of the points table.

There is no reserve day in the second match

The second semi-final match is to be played between India and England. Unlike the first semi-final, no reserve day has been kept for this match. If the match is interrupted due to rain, then 250 minutes of extra time will be given to complete the match. If the match is not decided due to rain, then India will reach the final due to being at the top of the points table.

Why was a reserve day not kept?

In fact, even before the Indian team reached the semi-finals, the ICC had decided that Team India will play the second semi-final irrespective of its position in the points table. The reason behind this is the time difference between India and the host country. Whether India is in the first place or second, it was already decided that it will play the second semi-final. Keeping the Indian audience in mind, the ICC scheduled all its matches from 8 pm according to Indian time.

The first semi-final is to be played at 6 am Indian time which is not suitable for the spectators. If a reserve day is kept for the semi-final between India and England and the match is postponed to 28 June, then the World Cup final is to be played the next day i.e. on 29 June. Whichever team reaches the final, be it India or England, it will not get time to rest. For this reason, a reserve day was not kept for the second semi-final.

tag: ICC T20 World Cup, india vs england, T20 World Cup