New Delhi: It took a total of 33 matches, but we finally have our first official entry into the semifinals of the ICC World Cup 2023, and it’s none other than the host team, India, that has the achievement under their belt.
India continued their dominant run at the ICC World Cup 2023, with a huge 302-run victory over their opponents from the 2011 World Cup final, Sri Lanka, to register their seventh consecutive win and keep their undefeated streak intact.
India’s win not only helped them confirm their top 4 finish but also boosted Afghanistan and Pakistan’s chances for a top 4 finish.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, not only lost the two important points but also suffered a huge blow to their net run rate, making their chances of qualifying for the semifinals next to impossible.
Check out the complete points table for the ICC World Cup 2023, till 2 November, below:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | India (Q) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | +2.10 |
| 2 | South Africa | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 12 | +2.29 |
| 3 | Australia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | +0.97 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 8 | +0.48 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | -0.02 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.71 |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | -1.16 |
| 8 | Netherland | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | -1.27 |
| 9 | Bangladesh (E) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | -1.44 |
| 10 | England | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -1.65 |
The final four
There are only 12 matches left, and 8 teams are still fighting for the 3 left spots, as only two teams are not part of the race anymore, i.e., India, who already qualified and Bangladesh, who are already eliminated.
The hosts, India, are currently at the top of the points table with 14 points in 7 matches and are also the only team to punch their tickets for the final four. India still has two matches to play and would like to win both games to walk into the semifinals as a dominant team with a great deal of momentum on their side.
Reliving India’s deadly trio attack vs Sri Lanka! Catch India vs Srilanka highlights here!#INDvsSL #IndiavsSriLanka #bumrah #Shami #Siraj #RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/M3FkuM1MQC
— Reverse Paddle (@reverse_paddle) November 3, 2023
The South African team have once again slipped to the number 2 spot with 12 points, and is still waiting for the official ‘Q’ in front of their name, which is only a matter of time as there is no scenario left in which South Africa can get eliminated with 12 points, the only issue will be which position they’ll qualify from.
Potentially his 5th Last odi starts tomorrow. ODI cricket will hardly get a player like Quinton De Kock in future.pic.twitter.com/BRpOYQXqdf
— . (@119off61) October 31, 2023
The five-time champions Australia are sitting comfortably at the number 3 spot and are also supposed to make it to the final four with easy fixtures ahead of them.
David Warner does Pushpa dance to entertain the crowd during Australia vs New Zealand match #AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/2AZN3r46AS
— ICT Fan (@Delphy06) October 28, 2023
The biggest question mark in the top 4 is on fourth-placed New Zealand, who was once at the top of the points table but, with the help of three successive losses, have slipped to the number 4 position, and are in real danger of getting eliminated from the tournament.
Kyle Jamieson has been called into the BLACKCAPS @cricketworldcup squad in India as cover 🏏 #CWC23https://t.co/cdp835T24e
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 2, 2023
The second wind
The last few games of the ICC World Cup 2023, have created some unexpected twists and turns and have opened the gates of qualification for the likes of Pakistan and Afghanistan, who, if they can manage to win the rest of their matches, stand a realistic chance of getting the qualification for the next round.
