Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the contenders for the semi-finals of the upcoming World Cup, picking five teams and including arch-rivals Pakistan as well. Ganguly’s comments come after the final 10 teams for the 2023 ODI World Cup were confirmed with the qualifications of Sri Lanka and Netherlands. The tournament will be held in India from October 5 to November 19 and will be the first Men’s Cricket World Cup to be solely hosted by India.
Ganguly, speaking to RevSportz, named Australia, England, and India as the top three contenders, while also emphasizing the potential of New Zealand in big matches. However, he surprised many by including Pakistan as one of the teams with a chance to make it to the semi-finals. Ganguly expressed his hope for an India-Pakistan semi-final, stating, Pakistan better qualify so that we will have the India-Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens.
The much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan is already scheduled for the league stage on October 15 and is expected to be a highlight of the World Cup. Ganguly’s inclusion of Pakistan as a potential semi-finalist fuels the anticipation for an epic clash between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Reflecting on India’s struggles in knockout matches in ICC events, Ganguly attributed it to execution rather than mental pressure. He expressed confidence in the team’s mental strength and the abundance of talented players, stating, Hopefully, they will cross the line soon. At least we qualified for the finals of the WTC, which is also an achievement. And yes, we have a chance. We have got good players, plenty of them. Hopefully, we will do it this time.
Ganguly also addressed the presence of pressure in high-stakes matches, emphasizing that it has always been a part of cricket. He cited examples of players like Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, who have performed under pressure in the past. Ganguly believes that pressure is not an issue for the Indian team and they will find a way to succeed.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the World Cup, Ganguly’s insights and predictions add to the excitement surrounding the tournament. With his vast experience as a player and administrator, his opinions hold significant weight. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see which teams emerge as the semi-finalists and if Ganguly’s predictions hold true.
The 2023 ODI World Cup promises to be a thrilling event, with teams from different nations battling it out for cricket’s most coveted trophy. As the tournament draws nearer, cricket enthusiasts can expect more discussions and opinions on the potential outcomes, keeping the excitement alive in the lead-up to the grand event.
