With less than two months remaining until the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, cricket experts are sharing their predictions for the tournament. Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, has made his forecast for the four teams he believes will reach the semi-finals.
Chopra, like many analysts, considers India to be the frontrunners, especially because the tournament is hosted in India. He pointed out that the host nation has won the last three ICC Cricket World Cups, with Australia winning in Australia, England in England, and India in India.
“India are the favorites because it is happening at home. They will definitely be the favorites, and if you see the last three World Cups, Australia won in Australia, England won in England, and before that India won in India,” said Aakash Chopra.
In addition to being on home soil, India is a formidable team in world cricket, well-known for its past achievements and the challenges it poses to opponents.
“It is absolutely right for the home team to be the favorites because we have seen the home team win the last three 50-over World Cups. So, of course, India are one of the favorites,” added the former Indian opener.
Also read: Former Australian Writes Off New Zealand & South Africa from World Cup 2023
Chopra also believes that Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, has a strong ODI team and will be one of the four semi-finalists in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He predicts that Australia and England will be the other two teams to reach the semi-finals alongside India and Pakistan.
“They (India) are the frontrunners, but apart from them, the three other semi-finalists could be Pakistan, whose ODI team is very good, England, and Australia. I feel you might see these four teams playing in the semi-finals,” stated the Agra-born cricketer.
He added, “I will be slightly surprised if any of them does not play the semi-finals, although you do get slightly surprised when the World Cup happens. The New Zealand guys are saying that they are also coming, and it is an ICC event.”
The ICC World Cup 2023 is set to begin on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with England facing New Zealand in the tournament opener in Ahmedabad. The final match will take place on November 19 at the same venue.