India go into their crucial Champions Trophy match against an under-strength West Indies here on Wednesday requiring little short of a miracle to avoid elimination. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team are forced to rely as much on other sides' performances as their own after having earned just one point in two matches in the four-team Group A.
India's slim hopes rest first on a Pakistan victory over formidable Australia in a day match at Centurion on Wednesday and then beating the West Indies in a day-night game here just hours later. Australia have lost just one of their last nine one-dayers. Pakistan have already made it to the semi-finals after securing four points from two wins, while defending champions Australia are strongly placed to join them in the last-four with three points from two games.
The West Indies are already out of the competition with no points after two matches. The top two sides advance to the semi-finals. Even if Australia lose to Pakistan and India beat the West Indies, the second semi-finalist will be decided on net run-rate. Australia (+1.000) are currently well ahead of India (-1.080) on net run-rate.
Dhoni said India would be keeping an eye on the Pakistan-Australia match before deciding the team combination. "They are playing a day game and we are playing a day-nighter. By the time we start our game, we will be knowing where we stand and what we actually need to do. Accordingly, we will decide the playing eleven," said Dhoni.
"This is one of those games where you have to achieve everything. First of all, you want Pakistan to win and Australia to lose. Then you want to win against the West Indies and you have to better your run-rate." "Overall, I think we have not bowled that well. That's one thing we need to admit. We have bowled twice and what we have seen is that we are not bowling that well," said Dhoni.
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