Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared his predictions for the teams he believes will secure semi-final berths in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Ganguly, a highly respected figure in Indian cricket, expressed his optimism about the possibility of a high-stakes encounter between India and Pakistan in one of the semi-finals, ideally hosted at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata.
Ganguly’s chosen five teams that he believes have a strong chance of making it to the semi-finals are yet to be revealed. However, his expectations indicate the intense competition that awaits cricket enthusiasts during the World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year.
“It’s very hard to say [teams that could make the semi-final],” Ganguly said in an interview on RevSportz.
He added: “Australia, England, India. You can never underestimate New Zealand in these big matches. I will pick five, and include Pakistan also.
“Pakistan better qualify so that we will have the India-Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens.”
The historic Eden Gardens stadium has been designated as the venue for the second semi-final, set to be held on November 16, while the other semi-final will be hosted in Mumbai. Ganguly’s vision of an India-Pakistan showdown at Eden Gardens adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the tournament, given the long-standing rivalry between the two cricketing nations.
Although India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in the league stage on October 15, Ganguly expressed his hope that they would cross paths again in the semi-finals, showcasing their fierce rivalry in one of the most important matches of the tournament.
With the 2023 CWC approaching, Ganguly’s predictions have added fuel to the already fervent speculation surrounding the tournament. Cricket enthusiasts will eagerly watch as the action unfolds, eager to witness if Ganguly’s expectations align with the ultimate outcome of the marquee competition.
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from July 10, 2023 at 08:37AM Anirudh Singh