Who: Australia vs India
What: ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights Group 1
When: Monday, June 24, 10:30am local time (14:30 GMT)
Where: Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
How: Follow Al Jazeera’s live coverage

Seven months after the November 19 ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad, India has a chance to make amends and knock out Australia from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The upcoming Super Eights match in Saint Lucia will offer India the opportunity to maintain its top position in Group 1, demote Australia to third place, and potentially eliminate them from the tournament.

A win for Rohit Sharma’s team will leave Mitchell Marsh's squad on the brink, with Afghanistan and Bangladesh’s match later deciding Australia’s destiny.

Marsh's team faces one of the tournament's remaining unbeaten sides. Despite challenges, India has navigated the tournament undefeated. India's bowlers, under coach Paras Mhambrey, aim to focus on their strategy rather than their opponents, promising a highly competitive matchup.

“The focus should be on executing our own plans, and if we are close to our goals, we can advance to the next stage,” Mhambrey said on Saturday.

𝘼 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙖 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 #𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙖! 👏 👏

A 5⃣0⃣-run win over Bangladesh for @ImRo45 & Co as they seal their 2️⃣nd win on the bounce in Super Eight. 🙌 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/QZIdeg3h22 #T20WorldCup | #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/GJ4eZzDUaA

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 22, 2024

Meanwhile, Australia will know precisely what they need to do to secure a semifinal spot, focusing on right planning and execution, according to bowling coach Andrew McDonald.

“We need to be at our best against India,” McDonald mentioned to the press on Saturday night.

The former Australian fast bowler highlighted that the tournament's final stages can challenge teams and that his experienced team knows how to handle pressure situations.

“We are aware of how tight it gets at the end of the tournament. Plenty of discussions will revolve around net run rate, given our game schedule,” he added.

“Ultimately, our focus is on controlling the match against India, a top tournament favourite.”

How can India qualify for the semifinals?

A win ensures India sails through. Even a close win for Australia leaves India as favorites given their high net run rate, barring a disastrous outcome for India.

How can Australia qualify for the semifinals?

A loss likely eliminates Australia if Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh. A win is crucial for Australia’s qualification, with net run rate becoming a deciding factor should both lose.

What happens in case of a washout?

A rainout awards one point each, positioning India at the top with five points, advancing them. Australia, with three points, depends on Bangladesh defeating Afghanistan to advance.

Pitch condition and toss

The Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium often offers high-scoring games, with a daytime schedule providing a potentially balanced pitch, making the toss less critical unless weather intervenes significantly.

Weather forecast

Rain is forecasted before the 10:30am (14:30 GMT) start, potentially delaying the start. Rain and thunderstorms may disrupt the game as it progresses.

Head-to-head

These teams have met 31 times in T20 internationals, most recently in a home series for India. India leads with 19 wins to Australia’s 11, and one no-result. In T20 World Cup history, India leads 3-2.

Form guide

India, one of the tournament's top teams, remains undefeated, successfully overcoming challenging situations. Australia's tournament has been solid, apart from a loss to Afghanistan, and they aim to return to winning form.

Australia: L W W W W
India: W W W W W

Australia team news

The 2021 champions may opt for a spin-focused attack, including Ashton Agar with Adam Zampa, potentially leaving out Mitchell Starc again or swapping him with Josh Hazlewood.

Squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), David Warner, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, and Nathan Ellis

India team news

India likely maintains their successful XI for this tournament.

Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj