Former chief selector Chetan Sharma anticipates a showdown between India and Australia in the 2023 World Cup final, set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19. Both teams have secured their spots in the semifinals, displaying outstanding form throughout the tournament.
Team India stands atop the table with 16 points from eight games. On the other hand, Australia, after a shaky start, bounced back with six consecutive victories. Their recent victory was an extraordinary three-wicket triumph over Afghanistan.
With the momentum favoring Pat Cummins and his team, they stand poised to face the Proteas, and Chetan Sharma believes they hold the ability to secure a spot in the final.
In an exclusive interview with India TV, Chetan Sharma shared his views on the potential fourth semifinalist, stating that New Zealand is the frontrunner for the spot. Tied on points with Pakistan at present, the Kiwis will play Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.
“In my opinion, New Zealand is likely to secure the fourth semifinal spot. They just need to defeat Sri Lanka, and given their strong performance in this World Cup, it might be an easy task for them. If they win, Pakistan will face a challenge in achieving a substantial victory against England due to net run-rate considerations,” he said.
In the broader context, England finds themselves in a precarious position, needing to defeat Pakistan to remain in contention for qualification in the Champions Trophy 2025. The competition intensifies as these cricket powerhouses vie for a coveted spot in the pinnacle event.