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The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 has been treating cricket enthusiasts to a plethora of exciting matches. While the initial fixtures saw some one-sided encounters, the tournament has gradually unfolded with thrilling contests and unexpected upsets, such as Afghanistan’s triumph over defending champions England and the Netherlands outclassing South Africa.
After 16 exhilarating matches, only two teams remain unbeaten in the competition, and former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes that these two sides could potentially face off in the highly-anticipated final of this global cricket extravaganza.
Aakash Chopra predicts the two finalists
Chopra’s prediction pointed towards a final showdown between hosts India and New Zealand, both of whom have demonstrated their prowess by maintaining flawless records in the World Cup. India have emerged victorious in all three of their matches, while New Zealand boast a perfect four out of four wins.
New Zealand’s dominance
New Zealand’s most recent victory came in a clash against Afghanistan in Match 16 of the tournament. After being asked to bat first in Chennai, the Black Caps set a challenging target of 289 runs. Subsequently, they showcased their bowling strength by bundling out the Afghan side for a mere 139 runs, securing a comprehensive 149-run victory and extending their winning streak.
Also READ: World Cup 2023 – Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott reveals the reason behind loss against New Zealand
Chopra’s praise for the Black Caps
Chopra showered New Zealand with praise, emphasizing their remarkable team dynamics. He expressed confidence in the prospect of an India-New Zealand final.
“They are an amazing team, and I feel it’s not a big deal that it could be an India-New Zealand final. They have won four out of four, and the semi-final berth is almost confirmed. It is such a good team that it doesn’t make a difference to them whether Kane (Williamson) is there or not. They figure out a way to win,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Upcoming showdown
Fans eagerly await the clash between these cricket giants as both India and New Zealand are set to face each other on Sunday, October 22, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Before this high-stakes encounter, India will take on Bangladesh in Pune on October 19, further building the anticipation for the potential India-New Zealand clash.
