ICC World Cup 2023: Sachin Tendulkar Predicts Four Semifinalists Of Cricket World Cup

Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has predicted the four semifinalists of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. The highly-anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup got underway on Thursday (October 5) with the clash between reigning champions England and New Zealand.

The huge clash turned out to be a lopsided contest as New Zealand inflicted a humiliating 9-wicket defeat on the defending champions. Asked to bat first, England finished on 282 for 9. In reply, New Zealand chased down the total in less than 37 overs by losing just 1 wicket as Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway scored unbeaten centuries.

Both New Zealand and England are among the favorites to win the World Cup. Apart from them, the likes of India, Australia, and Pakistan are also being widely tipped to progress ahead of the league stage. And while only time will reveal the semifinalists for the 2023 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar has predicted the four teams.

Sachin Tendulkar’s semifinalist picks for ICC World Cup 2023:

Speaking to the ICC at the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar began by expressing his delight over carrying the World Cup trophy out on the field and recalled India’s quarterfinal clash against Australia in Ahmedabad during the 2011 World Cup. He also hoped that India would continue the recent trend of home sides winning the World Cup.

“It was a surreal experience to carry that trophy out on the field,” Sachin Tendulkar said.

“We ended up playing here, a quarter-final against Australia, and that night was a special night for us. To come back here, same stadium, 12 years down the line…

“Something nice has happened actually. Before 2011, no host nation had won the tournament. Post that, all home nations have won. India’s hosting so, keeping those fingers crossed,” he added.

When asked whether India could go all the way, he said: “I hope so, because our team is playing good cricket, and if the team continues to keep things simple and stick to basics, they have the ammunition. We’ve got strong batting line-up, a very good all-round bowling attack, we have good balance.”

Talking about the semifinalists, the legendary batsman began by saying that Team India are certain to make the semifinals. He then picked Australia, England and New Zealand as the other three semifinalists.

“India without any doubt. We have a very, very good, balanced team. So is the case with Australia, I feel they have a balanced team.

“The third one I would say would be England. England again are a very strong team, a combination of experience and some new faces. My fourth team would be New Zealand. They have played the finals in 2015 and 2019. If you look at their track record, New Zealand in world championships have always done well and I see them getting to the semis,” said the former India batsman.

Team India are scheduled to open their campaign in the 2023 World Cup on Sunday (October 8) with a mouth-watering clash against Australia in Chennai.