India had lost their first two games of the T20 World Cup, and had their hopes pinned on an Afghan win to help them secure a spot in the semi-finals. This was not to be, as New Zealand beat their opponents by a margin of eight wickets. This is the first time India are not playing the semi-finals of an ICC event in the last nine years.

There were a number of reactions to this development.

This World Cup campaign wasn’t about one bad half hour. There were many. Time to reboot T20 and look at it from a different perspective #India

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 7, 2021

First time in 9 years, India men’s team have not reached the semi finals stage of an ICC tournament. Last time it was T20 World Cup 2012 in Sri Lanka.

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 7, 2021

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer referenced a Bollywood cult classic to describe India’s predicament.

Sigh.. #NZvAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Nm6LqIjZxU

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 7, 2021

There were others who looked at the lighter side of things.

India’s campaign at the #ICCT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/VhsdiQld8I

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 7, 2021

Many praised New Zealand’s clinical performance at the T20 World Cup. New Zealand have steadily improved their results at the tournament, and will walk into the knockouts in a confident mood.

Not many expected New Zealand to qualify for the semi-finals, but have a side well-suited to the lower-scoring conditions. Tim Southee, who has been underwhelming in T20 in recent years, has been outstanding

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) November 7, 2021

It's New Zealand then! Brilliant in the field & clinical in a modest chase, the Kiwis clinch the last semifinal berth of the World Cup. Afghanistan were outclassed in a must-win game for them too, and will reflect on what might have been #NZvsAFG #T20WorldCup

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 7, 2021

New Zealand changed their balance after their defeat against Pakistan by bringing in an extra bowler and that shift has worked perfectly, as demonstrated by them cruising home against India and Afghanistan

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) November 7, 2021

And, this wasn’t the end of the world for India either.

remember this pearl from one of our studio analysts after the 2007 fiasco. it isn't the end of the world, just the end of the world cup. #T20WorldCup

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 7, 2021