India bring out the calculators,yet again

Ranging from fifth grade mathematics to the utterly ridiculous,Indias annual habit is at fever pitch again.

Ranging from fifth grade mathematics to the utterly ridiculous,Indias annual habit is at fever pitch again. The situation is simplified by several television channels and a nation on their calculating machines. The current equation: Australia must beat West Indies,while India need to beat Sri Lanka by 20 runs or a minimum of 2.1 overs.

If Tuesdays matches pan out as calculated,India will make it to the next stage with a better Net Run Rate (NRR). As MS Dhoni & Co plot Sri Lankas downfall in their last Super Eights match,fans are busy calculating every combination for the team to hustle their way into the World T20 semis.

Since 2006,India have participated in six ICC events two Champions Trophies (2006,2009),three World T20s (2007,2009,2010) and a World Cup (2007). Barring the inaugural edition of the ongoing tournament,India have not only found themselves in do-or-die situations,but also at the mercy of plenty of other results going their way.

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In the process,the team has kept fans busy. While some have been successful in computing the exact runs,wickets and margin of victory required for Team India to progress,others rely on religion,faith,hope and the rain gods. Heres a look at Indias plight in the last four years:

Champions Trophy 2006

Clustered with England,West Indies and Australia in Group A,India required two wins in three matches to make it to the last four. They got off to a winning start by beating England,but a rampaging West Indies beat both India and Australia,before losing to England. Despite sitting pretty at second place,it became a virtual quarter-final match for India against Australia,which the Rahul Dravid-led side lost.

World Cup 2007

The calculators were out after Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 198 runs. The massive loss meant the minnows lost the edge they had gained by beating India in the opening match. India found themselves in a must-win situation against Sri Lanka,but they ended up suffering a 69-run loss and a humiliating first round exit.

World T20 2009

Two back-to-back wins against England and South Africa were the call of the day after India lost to the West Indies in their first Super Eights game. A few more hypothetical situations propped up after India lost to England. It took a third loss,this time to South Africa,to stop the fans from peering into their analysis machines.

Champions Trophy 2009

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A loss to Pakistan and a no-result due to rain against Australia in the group stages meant a tricky equation for India. They not only needed to beat the West Indies but also required Pakistan to beat Australia. Played simultaneously,the Indian players watched the Aussies coming out on top off the last ball during their innings break. Indias crushing victory was in vain.