Sachin Tendulkar brings out the ICC World Cup 2023 trophy ahead of the tournament opener in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5). Photo: ICC
World Cup 2023: Sachin Tendulkar picks his 4 semi-finalists
Talking about his experience of carrying the World Cup trophy, he said, “It was a surreal experience to carry that trophy out on the field.”
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has picked the four teams that he thinks will compete in the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India.
The 10-team ODI World Cup got underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday (October 5) with Tendulkar in attendance to watch the opening contest between the last edition’s finalists England and New Zealand.
New Zealand thrashed England by nine wickets thanks to centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
During the game, Tendulkar enjoyed a brief TV commentary stint and earlier he brought the World Cup trophy out onto the ground.
“India without any doubt. We have a very, very good, balanced team,” Tendulkar told ICC on Thursday when asked about his prediction for the World Cup semi-final spots.
“So is the case with Australia, I feel they have a balanced team.
“The third one I would say would be England. England again are a very strong team, a combination of experience and some new faces.
“My fourth team would be New Zealand. They have played the finals in 2015 and 2019. If you look at their track record, New Zealand in world championships have always done well and I see them getting to the semis.”
Talking about his experience of carrying the World Cup trophy, he said, “It was a surreal experience to carry that trophy out on the field.”
Recalling the World Cup 2011 quarter-final against Australia at the same ground, Tendulkar said, “We ended up playing here, a quarter-final against Australia, and that night was a special night for us. To come back here, same stadium, 12 years down the line…
“Something nice has happened actually. Before 2011, no host nation had won the tournament. Post that, all home nations have won. India’s hosting so, keeping those fingers crossed.”
Tendulkar said India can repeat the 2011 feat. “I hope so, because our team is playing good cricket, and if the team continues to keep things simple and stick to basics, they have the ammunition. We’ve got strong batting line-up, a very good all-round bowling attack, we have good balance.”
