ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Last Chance For Virat Kohli To Find Runs Before India’s(IND) Super Eight Campaign

With three wins to their name, India (IND) are on top of the Group A points table. Up next, the Rohit Sharma-led side will face Canada (CAN) on June 15 at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill in Florida. The Saad Bin Zafar-led side suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the last match but a win against India can boost their chances to qualify for the Super 8 (given other calculations go their way) of the ongoing T20 World Cup but it won’t be an easy task.

Canada are facing their toughest test of the T20 World Cup as India aim to go into the Super 8 stage with a clean sheet, but the fixture is at the mercy of the weather in Florida.

IND vs CAN Previous Performances

India are one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. Despite Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not scoring consistently, India have managed to do well with the bat, which shows their depth. Rishabh Pant has been sensational while Suryakumar Yadav did well in the last match against the USA. The team can count on Hardik Pandya as well but Ravindra Jadeja needs to improve significantly, or else the team can consider bringing in Kuldeep Yadav.

Canada meanwhile looked good against Pakistan in their last match. Opener Aaron Johnson hit a half-century but he didn’t get enough support from other batters. Against India, the players will be charged up as they can pull off an upset.

IND vs CAN Head-to-Head

India and Canada will lock horns for the first time in T20I cricket.

IND vs CAN Pitch Report

The surface in Florida is much better in comparison to the one in New York. However, it has been under covers for a long time due to rain and can act slow. In that case, spinners will be very effective. Bowling first will be ideal and anything over 170 runs will be a good score in the middle.

IND vs CAN Big picture: Rain threat in Florida

Canada are facing their toughest test of the T20 World Cup as India aim to go into the Super 8 stage with a clean sheet, but the fixture is at the mercy of the weather in Florida. Friday’s game between USA and Ireland was washed out at the venue, and there’s an 85% chance of rain on Saturday.

If the game does go ahead, India could test out their bench strength. They have played the same XI in their first three group games, but with qualification secure and no points advantage carried forward to the Super Eight, they could give the likes of Kuldeep Yadav or Sanju Samson some game time.

India’s final group game is also Virat Kohli’s last chance to find form before the more competitive Super Eight stage. Of all the batters itching to get out of New York, he is right up there. His move to the top of the order has yielded scores of 4, 1 and 0, and Kohli is not even among the top 150 run-scorers of the tournament. He does not have exceptional numbers in Florida, though: 63 runs in three innings at an average of 21.00.

With USA confirming their Super Eight berth from Group A along with India, Canada have been knocked out, having earned only two points from their first three games. They have been competitive at their first T20 World Cup though, having scored 194 in their opening game against USA and then securing a comfortable win against Ireland. They even gave Pakistan a scare, and will hope to sign off at their best against their most high-profile opponents.

IND vs CAN In the spotlight: Aaron Johnson and Hardik Pandya

Despite making his T20I debut only in November 2022, Aaron Johnson is already Canada’s second highest run-scorer. He had a tremendous start to his international career, scoring four fifties and one century in his first seven T20I innings, and has sustained his form. No other Canada batter has more runs than Johnson’s 400 in 12 innings since the start of 2023. He is coming into this game on the back of a confident 52 against Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya has not had much to do with the bat, but has been an asset with the ball. He is India’s joint highest wicket-taker so far in the competition, with seven wickets in three games, and has stifled batters in the middle overs. Hardik has hit those hard lengths and finished the New York leg with an economy of 5.41.

IND vs CAN Vital stats that matters