Despite the game of cricket is so unpredictable with its results, there are quite a few experts and the former cricketers, who wants to put all their eggs on the Indian team for the upcoming semifinal-1 against New Zealand team. One of the strong believers of India winning the game is the former Australian skipper Michael Clarke.
India has been the best team in the tournament so far with seven wins out of 8 matches while one game was washed out. India topped the points table in the league phase and thus, was drawn to face New Zealand, who finished as the fourth-best team after nine matches.
Coming to the semi-final at Old Trafford, India is heading into the game on the back of three successive wins against West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. New Zealand on the other hand, lost their last three matches against Pakistan, Australia and England.
India already has one foot in the final – Michael Clarke
It’s the Blackcaps’ form that has Clarke believing that India will reach the title decider by defeating Kane Williamson‘s men on Tuesday. Speaking to India Today, the 2015 World Cup winner is banking on Men in Blue’s form to label them as the favourites.
“No-brainer for me, India is in the final. In cricket you should never say that, if I was an Indian player I wouldn’t be thinking like that or if I was Virat Kohli I wouldn’t be thinking like that. But from outside, India is on fire they are playing unbelievable cricket at the moment and in my opinion they already have one foot in the final.”
India shouldn’t take anything for granted:
Despite showing his trust on the team, Michael Clarke warned the Indian team to be wary of Kane Williamson-led side, who can do their job on big stages. He asked the Virat Kohli-led side to not take anything for granted.
“But they cannot take anything for granted and play good, hard cricket they have been the whole tournament,” Michael Clarke told India Today on the eve of the first semi-final.
Well, it would be an intriguing clash. So far, they haven’t met at least once on the field, as the game was washed out without a ball being bowled. The match is set to be played at Manchester.