Cricket

The T20 World Cup 2024 is set for a thrilling clash between India and Australia, but the weather could play a crucial role in determining the fate of these two teams. With India on the verge of securing a semi-final berth, Australia's hopes hang in the balance after their unexpected defeat to Afghanistan.As Australia prepares for a do-or-die battle on Monday, the weather forecast paints a gloomy picture. Accuweather predicts heavy rainfall throughout the day in St. Lucia, with showers expected before and during the India vs Australia match, scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time. The chances of rain remain high at 70% throughout the day, making a washout or a reduced-overs game a likely scenario.The hourly weather report for St. Lucia on June 24 indicates a high probability of rain during the match:* 9:00 AM (6:30 PM IST): 64% chance of rain* 10:00 AM (7:30 PM IST): 40% chance of rain* 11:00 AM (8:30 PM IST): 34% chance of rain* 12:00 PM (9:30 PM IST): 37% chance of rain* 1:00 PM (10:30 PM IST): 47% chance of rain* 2:00 PM (11:30 PM IST): 51% chance of rain* 3:00 PM (7:30 PM IST): 51% chance of rainIf rain washes out the entire India vs Australia match, both teams will receive one point each. This outcome would secure India's place in the semi-finals, while Australia's progression would depend on the result of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match. A Bangladesh victory would send Australia through, but an Afghanistan win would eliminate them from the tournament.The Group 1 standings in the Super 8s are poised for an exciting finish, with all four teams still in contention. India leads the pack with a 100% record and a healthy Net Run Rate of +2.425. Australia follows with one win in two matches and an NRR of +0.233. Afghanistan (-0.65) and Bangladesh (-2.489) complete the top four.

The highly anticipated 'Super 8s' match of the T20 World Cup between India and Bangladesh is set to take place in the North Sound region of Antigua on Saturday. While the weather forecast predicts a relatively favorable outlook, the possibility of interruptions due to thunderstorms cannot be discounted.India, who emerged victorious in their opening Group 1 match against Afghanistan, are considered the clear favorites. However, they would be unwise to underestimate the spirited Bangladesh side, who have proven their mettle in previous encounters.According to accuweather.com, the weather forecast for Saturday in Antigua indicates partly sunny conditions with isolated thunderstorms. The cloud cover is expected to be around 41%, with intermittent rain showers throughout the day.The match is scheduled to commence at 10:30 am local time, which corresponds to 8 pm IST. India has entered the 'Super 8s' stage with an unblemished record, having secured victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and USA in the group stage. Their match against Canada in Florida was unfortunately washed out due to inclement weather.India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title is fueled by their desire to end an 11-year drought without an ICC event triumph. Their last major title came in the form of the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni.India's inaugural T20 World Cup victory in 2007, also under Dhoni's captaincy, remains a cherished memory for fans. The team will be eager to replicate that success and bring home the coveted trophy once again.

The highly anticipated Qualifier 1 clash of the IPL 2024 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday is set to be a thrilling encounter. However, the weather forecast has cast a shadow over the match, with concerns of rain looming.Historically, KKR has a psychological edge over SRH, having won the IPL title in 2012 and 2014 when they finished in the top two. This season, KKR has been in impressive form, securing the top spot with 20 points from 14 matches.According to AccuWeather, there is no forecasted rain for Tuesday's match, but dew is expected to impact the second innings due to high humidity. The temperature is anticipated to range between 31 and 37 degrees Celsius, suggesting conditions may favor a high-scoring game.However, with three of the last eight IPL matches being abandoned due to rain, both teams will be wary of a washout. If the match is rained out, KKR will automatically advance to the final due to their higher points tally in the league stage, as per IPL rules.As per IPL Rule 13.7.3, an extra 120 minutes is allowed to complete a match if delayed or interrupted, which is double the usual allowance. If the weather doesn't permit play to resume within this extended time frame, the higher-ranked team, in this case, KKR, will progress directly to the final.KKR has not played a match in the last 10 days due to back-to-back washouts, including their last league game against Rajasthan Royals. Despite this, they remain confident, buoyed by the return of mentor Gautam Gambhir and the consistent performance of their bowlers.Former Pakistan captain and ex-KKR coach Wasim Akram has lauded KKR's bowling unit, highlighting the collective effort that has seen Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Mitchell Starc perform consistently.SRH, led by Pat Cummins, enter the contest with winning momentum after a decisive victory over Punjab Kings in their last home game. However, they face a big challenge in the form of table-toppers KKR.KKR, despite the absence of key player Phil Salt, who has returned for national duties, remain a formidable opponent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to step in as Salt's replacement.