ICC gives India prime semi-final slot for T20 World Cup 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has allocated India the second semi-final slot for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting from 1st June.

As per ESPN Cricinfo, should India progress to the knockout stage, they will compete in the second semi-final in Providence, Guyana.

This decision was primarily influenced by the match timings. The first semi-final, scheduled for Tarouba, Trinidad, is set to commence at 8:30 local time, translating to an early morning start of 6:00 am in India on June 27, which is deemed inconvenient for the Indian audience.

Conversely, the second semi-final will begin at 10:30 am local time, more suitable for Indian viewers as it aligns with an evening slot at 8:00 pm in India.

The tournament's final is slated as a day game, kicking off at 10:00 am locally on June 29, corresponding to 7:30 pm in India.

It has been clarified that the second semi-final will not have a reserve day. However, an additional 250 minutes of extra time will be provided if the match encounters delays. In contrast, both the first semi-final and the final will have reserve days.

It's important to note that for the first semi-final and the final to produce a decisive result, both teams must complete at least ten overs each. Should this condition not be met, reserve days will be utilized.

Similar to past T20 matches, a five-over rule will be in place for determining results in case of interruptions for the team batting second. This rule applies to three knockout matches in the tournament.