There is no doubt that the four best sides are in the semifinals. If one has a look at the points, then one will see that there is a fair distance between the top four and the rest. In fact, by the penultimate day of the group stage, the semifinalists were decided, which is an indication that they were way above the rest.
In 2019, India played New Zealand over two days in England but in conditions that were like back home for the Kiwis. The Indian team had already cut its nose to spite the face by some whimsical selection, exposing the No. 4 position. Rohit Sharma at the opening position and Virat Kohli at one drop had batted splendidly through that event, which meant that the No. 4 batter and — there were a few tried by then — had only to go and swing his bat.
In the semifinals, with the ball swinging and seaming like crazy, the Kiwi bowlers scythed through the openers and also got Kohli cheaply, leaving the No. 4 batter to try and hold the fort and score as well. With little experience in doing so, it was a disaster waiting to happen and that’s exactly what transpired.
