Virender Sehwag, the former champion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2011, has made his predictions for the upcoming edition of the quadrennial event scheduled for later this year. In his assessment, the 44-year-old has identified Australia, England, India, and Pakistan as the likely top four teams to secure spots in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023, set to kick off on October 5. The tournament will culminate with the final match on November 19.
The opening match of the tournament will feature a rematch of the 2019 grand finale, where defending champions England will face off against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India, the host nation, will commence their ODI World Cup 2023 journey against the five-time champions Australia on October 8, taking place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
During a recent event, Virender Sehwag, renowned for his swashbuckling batting displays during his prime, shared his insights on why England and Australia are likely to be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 top four. He attributed their unconventional style of play as a key factor contributing to their success, especially within the subcontinent’s conditions. He highlighted their ability to consistently perform in such settings, emphasizing their unique approach to the game.
He expressed, “When selecting four teams – Australia, England, India, and Pakistan stand out as the semi-final contenders. Australia and England are almost certain due to their unorthodox cricketing techniques; they veer away from the traditional shots and excel at playing unconventionally.”
He further added, “Additionally, England and Australia possess the skills to excel in sub-continental conditions as away teams.”
Furthermore, Virender Sehwag’s endorsement of Team India’s presence in the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 isn’t unexpected, given their strong performance on home turf year after year. Pakistan has also made significant strides in their limited-overs cricket recently, and their familiarity with sub-continental pitch conditions could provide them an advantageous edge over other participating teams in the tournament.
