AB de Villiers predicts World Cup 2023 finalists: 'I think they will go on to win it'

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South Africa legend AB de Villiers has predicted the four semi-finalists and two finalists of the upcoming World Cup 2023 which is set to begin in India from October 5.

AB de Villiers has left out Pakistan and picked India, Australia, England and his home team South Africa as the four semi-finalists. He said South Africa would be underdogs and that could be a blessing in disguise for them.

Not only did AB de Villiers predict the four semi-finalists, but he also picked two finalists in India and England, backing Rohit Sharma's Men in Blue to lift the coveted trophy at home just like the 2011 World Cup.

“Definitely, India. I think they will go on to win it over there again. It’s going to be a fairy-tale World Cup. India, England, Australia - got to go with the big three. Then I want to go with South Africa, even though Pakistan has a really good chance as well. So the fourth team will be South Africa," AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

“I’ve gone with three non-sub-continent teams there, which is very risky. But I am going to stick to it because I think the wickets will be good. I don’t think the World Cup is going to see bad wickets during the duration of the tournament.

“England and India will be in the final. If they face each other in the finals. So I think it would be awesome. Although I really wish my South African boys were there. I don’t think it will be easy for him, but never say no. This is the World Cup in which South Africa have the least expectations, and it could well be for them. They are a very talented and very underrated team,” he added.

India, who have failed to win a single ICC trophy after their triumphant 2013 Champions Trophy campaign, will kick off their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.