Sourav Ganguly predicts his semi-finalists of World Cup 2019

The 12th edition of the cricket World Cup is little more than a month away. The fever is gradually growing as all the 10 participating teams have announced their respective squads. This is the first time since 1992 that all teams will play against each other in a round robin league format with the top four point-getters advancing to the semi-finals. The first game is scheduled between hosts England and South Africa, who have lost in the semi-finals four times since playing their first WC in 1992.

India will be playing their first game against South Africa on June 5 and will be the last team to launch their campaign. The team will be led by Virat Kohli, the 10th Indian to captain in a World Cup. It will be the third WC for Kohli while Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be making his fourth and final appearance in the big event.

Ganguly came very close to win WC but lost to Ponting in final of 2003

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is currently busy as the mentor of Delhi Capitals in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), has come up with his opinion on the quadrennial event. He feels this WC will be one of the most keenly contested tournaments with probably the best format.

The former batsman also predicted four teams that will reach the semi-finals and they are: India, Australia, England and Pakistan. The last time these four teams had made the WC semi-final was in 1987 and it was Australia who had gone on to win the trophy – their maiden.

“It’s going to be one of the most keenly contested World Cups with probably the best format. The best four teams will reach the semi-finals and my pick for the four semi-final spots would be India, Australia, England and Pakistan,” Ganguly was quoted as saying on Scroll.in.

Ganguly had come close to winning the World Cup for India as the second captain after Kapil Dev in 2003 but his side was clobbered in the final by Ricky Ponting’s Australia that year. However, MS Dhoni went on to become the second skipper after the legendary cricketer to win India their second title in 2011.

England, currently ranked No.1 in ODIs, are being seen as hot favourites to win the tournament this time. The Three Lions have never won it earlier and finished as the runners-up thrice (1979, 1987 and 1992).

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