By Katab Hussain
The Cricket World Cup 2023 is inching towards its climax and millions of people are eagerly waiting to enjoy the clash of cricket power-houses.
In this article we are going to elaborate what you need to know about the knockout stage of the ICC World Cup 2023. The date of the much-awaited semifinals and final is approaching fast and cricket-enthusiasts will enjoy four team clashes in the remaining three fixtures of this quadrennial event.
The defending champions—England—have been eliminated from the tournament as the team could win only two games and its dismal performance disappointed cricket-lovers very much. People were expecting a thrilling performance but the English players failed to exhibit their modern-day cricket skills.
Now come to the match schedule of the ICC World Cup 2023.
The World Cup host India will take on New Zealand on November 15 (Wednesday) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Earlier both teams clashed in the 2019 semifinals and Kiwis outclassed India by 18 runs. The winning side posted 239 for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs and the Indian team could score only 221 runs in 49.3 overs.
Kane Williamson knocked 67 in 95 balls peppered with 6 fours and Ross Taylor was the second player who scored a half century and returned to pavilion after scoring 74 runs in 90 balls with 3 fours and a towering 1 six.
From the Indian side Ravindra Jadeja stood top player who knocked 77 runs in 59 balls adored with 4 fours and as many impressive sixes. Ms Dhoni also contributed for the team with his 50 runs in 72 balls with only 1 four and 1 six.
Second semifinal
November 16 (Thursday) will be the day when South Africa and Australia will clash for the second semifinals of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The highly charged South Africa will try not to waste any moment to restrict the rival—Australia—in all departments as the latter team has extensive experience of big matches.
Now come the day for final
Everyone is passionately waiting to know who will lift the cricket world cup trophy. But prior to this people are eying the winners of two semifinals. Speculations are taking round that India and Australia will play the final but God knows better as nothing is sure in the sports.
Final will be played on November 19 (Sunday) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
It’s the largest sports stadium in the world which had opened the ICC World Cup 2023 on 5 October. The arch-rivals India and Pakistan also clashed here on 14 October when Men in Green were outclassed by the host team. As many as 132,000 cricket-lovers can enjoy matches in this mega stadium having the facility of day-night matches.
Last two finals of the Indian Premier League were also played at this stadium.
The process to qualify
Sailing through the group stage, Indian team is on top of the list with maximum 18 points as the team outclassed all rivals in nine matches of the event. The team India also secured an exceptional net run rate–2.570– best in the group stage.
After India, the Proteas qualified for the semifinals as this side won seven out of nine matches of the group stage. Netherlands shocked the entire world when it outshined South Africa in the group match and then India defeated Proteas.
Australia qualified with 14 points as the team regained its strength as it was defeated by South Africa and India as well.
And finally, the Kiwis made its way in the Semifinals and stood on fourth spot in the ICC World Cup 2023. The Black Caps concluded the group stage with 10 points.
Now have a look on the squads
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
As cricket-lovers know that weather has hit some matches in the ICC World Cup 2023. However, the ICC has reserved the days for the semifinals and the finals as well if the weather again will try to play with the fate of the teams.s
What will be the prize money
As much as US$10 million has been announced for the entire tournament. The champions of the tournament will get US$4 million and US$2 million has been reserved for the runners-up. Similarly, US$40,000 is the prize for every group stage win.
