Former South Africa legend AB de Villiers picked his top four for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. Ahead of the prestigious tournament, De Villiers picked Australia, England, India, and South Africa as his top four teams. During a recent interview, De Villiers made these predictions and also spoke about the potential winner.
During a question-and-answer session on his YouTube channel, the star Proteas player was asked to pick his top four. In response, he said, “Definitely, India. I think they will go on to win it over there again. It’s going to be a fairytale World Cup. India, England, and Australia—we’ve got to go with the big three. Then I want to go with South Africa, even though Pakistan has a really good chance as well. So the fourth team will be South Africa.”
Explaining his choice, De Villiers said that he believes pitches will be fair. “I’ve gone with three non-sub-continental teams there, which is very risky. But I am going to stick to it because I think the wickets will be good. I don’t think the World Cup is going to see bad wickets during the duration of the tournament,” he added.
India will start their campaign against Australia in Chennai
Meanwhile, fans and cricket pundits fumed as De Villiers doesn’t pick Pakistan. Many former cricketers, including Aakash Chopra, Eion Morgan, and Glen McGrath, have picked Pakistan as favourites for the semifinals. It’s worth noting that India won their last ODI World Cup in 2011 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. This year’s team would like to continue their home dominance and win the tournament.
The marquee event is scheduled to kick off on October 5 in Ahmedabad and conclude on November 19 at the same ground. In the opening game, defending champions England will take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium. India will start their campaign against Australia on October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team will also face arch-rival Pakistan on October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Here is how fans react to Ab de Villiers’ selection:
Pakistan is reaching Semis surely!
— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) August 17, 2023
ICT fans now pic.twitter.com/UFwYTzmBZw
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 17, 2023
damn its ruined already
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) August 17, 2023
Fake News.
His Semi Finalists are
India, Rcb , Mi , CSK— Ahmad Hassan Bobak (@ahmad_bobak) August 17, 2023
Ab devilliers apni country ko nikal kr Pakistan ko semis kyu Daale ?
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) August 17, 2023
Owned Pakistan ???
— MM10 (@Har_uki_) August 17, 2023
Ahh these predictions again
— Anuj Mishra (@anujmishra003) August 17, 2023
Basically the same teams every year.
1 Australia
2 England
3 IndiaThose 3 most likely won't miss
4th will be a battle between SA, Pak, NZ like usual— Axciem (@AxciemG) August 17, 2023
Waiting for the Asia Cup and World Cup : pic.twitter.com/XhpcNeu5Oh
— Abhay ?? (@InfinityAbhay) August 17, 2023
Sneaked in SA as we won’t notice ???
— User45 (@140off113) August 17, 2023
1) Australia 2) England 3) SA 4) Sri Lanka
— ???? (@bijjuu11) August 17, 2023
Pakistan plays well in Indian Subcontinent or UAE, they have high chances in place of South Africa, they reached semifinal in 2011 and 1987, quarterfinal in 1996 which took place in Asia.
— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) August 17, 2023
Thank God he didn't include Pak ???
— Hassan (@HassanAbbasian) August 17, 2023
Ind, aus, eng will reach. 4th will be Nz or Sri Lanka
— who’s this guy (@realjabronii) August 17, 2023
India will lift trophy
— Er.Atul Vaidya??? (@atulvai04795672) August 17, 2023
Me to ABD pic.twitter.com/3pxCR8esrz
— ??????? ?? (@itsmeSehrish) August 17, 2023
