Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to have played the game. Tendulkar bid adieu to the game in 2013. But his aura has not faded away from the international stage.
Tendulkar is currently associated with the official broadcasters of the ICC World Cup 2019 as an expert analyst. Even though he has been away from the sport for almost six years now, the 46-year-old's mind continues to be as prolific as it was at the peak of his career.
More than a month ago, Tendulkar in an interview with Espn Cricinfo had predicted the teams who he thought would qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup.
“India, England, Australia should be in the semis. The fourth could be one of New Zealand or Pakistan,” the batting maestro had said when he was asked about his favourites to reach the final four.
His predictions for the tournament that have come to be true and accurate to the last detail, have left even Shashi Tharoor amazed. The Congress MP shared Master Blaster’s interview on his Facebook account and said, “Just read the last answer of @sachin_rt’s interview BEFORE the World Cup. Amazing! Does this man know his cricket or not!??”
Earlier, Sachin was certain of Team India qualifying to the semi-finals as he believed that the Men in Blue had a well-balanced squad.
“We have a balanced team which can go out and do something special. The whole team has to chip in, there will be some performers (in different situations, who must say) ‘this is my game; I am batting well or bowling well’. Support is needed from the other end also,” the Master Blaster had said while speaking with Hindustan Times.
If Pakistan win by a huge and rather unrealistic margin against Bangladesh on Friday, Sarfaraz and Co will be successful to book the semi-final berth or else it will be New Zealand who will progress into the semi-finals.
