Sachin Tendulkar’s impeccable forecast on World Cup semi-final line-up leaves Shashi Tharoor amazed

He might have left playing cricket almost six years ago but Sachin Tendulkar’s love for the game hasn’t diminished a bit. He has been found giving bytes and presenting analyses during the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. The 46-year-old, who played cricket for almost two decades and a half, took part in as many as six World Cups between 1992 and 2011 and has made the most runs and centuries at the mega event.

That Tendulkar’s adulation for the game is still the same as it was during his playing days became evident when it was learnt that he had made a perfect prediction over the semi-final line-up during an interview even before the World Cup had started. When asked about the probable semi-final line-up in the tournament, Tendulkar had said: “India, England, Australia should be in the semis. The fourth could be one of New Zealand or Pakistan.”

The actual scenario has turned out to be exactly so. While Australia had qualified before anybody else, India made it on Tuesday by defeating Bangladesh and England followed suit by humbling New Zealand. The Black Caps, despite their loss, still look favourites to make the semi-finals as the fourth team unless of course, Pakistan produce a gigantic win over Bangladesh in their final league game at Lord’s on Friday.

The semi-finals will be played at Old Trafford and Edgbaston on July 9 and 11, respectively. While England have confirmed their No.3 ranking in the semi-finals, the rankings of Australia (14 points) and India (13 points) are yet not confirmed for both have one game left.

Does this man know his cricket or not

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is also known to be a cricket buff, was amazed by Tendulkar’s capacity to make perfect predictions. Citing the interview given by the former India captain, the parliamentarian from Thiruvananthapuram asked in a Facebook post: “Does this man know his cricket or not!??”

Tendulkar had mentioned that India have a balanced team that can do something special. He had said the whole team needed to chip in and there will be some performers.