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Cricket enthusiasts and experts are deep in discussions about the prospective champions and the four semi-finalists in the upcoming ICC Cricket ODI World Cup 2023. With the anticipation building for this prestigious tournament, former India cricket legend, Yuvraj Singh, has shared his predictions for the semi-finalists.
The tournament overview
The quadrennial event will feature ten teams competing for the coveted title, with a total of 48 games scheduled across ten venues. The opening match will be between defending champions England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5, 2023. In the league stage, all ten teams will play against each other once. The top four teams from this stage will proceed to the semi-finals, which are slated to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai.
India’s campaign
India will kick off their campaign on October 8, facing Australia in Chennai. One of the most anticipated encounters, the India-Pakistan clash, is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, 2023. As fans gear up for this cricket extravaganza, they are not only speculating about the eventual champion but also predicting the teams that will reach the knockout stage.
Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023: Jonny Bairstow comes up with a cheeky post as England team endures a nightmare journey on their way to India
Yuvraj Singh’s Picks
Speaking to The Week, Yuvraj shared his insights on the top contenders for the World Cup title and his picks for the semi-finals. According to him, New Zealand, England, India and Australia are the favourites to make it to the knockout stage. However, he also acknowledged South Africa as a strong contender, highlighting their consistent performance in past tournaments, even though they haven’t clinched the title.
“Obviously India, Australia will be there (Semifinals). I will pick five teams as there’s always an upset in the World Cup. India, Australia, New Zealand, England and I just feel South Africa is due. They need a white ball trophy,”
