IND vs NED: ‘Team India Might Directly Lose The World Cup Semi Final..’- Misbah-ul-Haq

Team India once again showcased their strong title credentials by defeating South Africa in the 37th match of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Sunday (November 5).

The top-of-the-table clash promised a close contest as high-flying South Africans were widely expected to give India a run for their money. However, the in-form hosts just blew the Proteas away to make it eight wins from eight. India thoroughly dominated the contest and won the game at the Eden Gardens by a record margin of 243 runs.

Batting first, the Men in Blue piled up 326 for 5 in the allotted 50 overs with Virat Kohli (101*) and Shreyas Iyer (77) starring with the bat. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for just 83 runs in less than 28 overs. For India, Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball, taking a career-best 5 for 33 while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Shami accounted for two wickets each.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s timely warning for Team India:

While the win over Sri Lanka earlier this week had secured India’s passage to the semifinals, the win over South Africa has confirmed that they would enter the knockouts at the top of the points table. And as India gears up for the all-important semifinals, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has fired a timely warning to them.

India have not qualified for the final since 2011 when they incidentally defeated Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan in the semifinal. In 2015 and 2019, the Men in Blue did extremely well in the league stage before failing in the semifinals. India have constantly failed to do well in knockout games in recent years and will be desperate to get the monkey off their backs in the upcoming games.

“One thing is confirmed. Yes, this is the group stage, fine, but when they go into the knockout stage, the more a team keeps playing well and becomes the favorite, the more is the more pressure. And once a team puts them under pressure in 1-2 overs, they will have a lot to lose. There is still an outside chance for other teams,” Misbah-ul-Haq said on A Sports.

Veteran Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik, who was part of the panel as well, quickly said: “I see Australia, who will give them a tough time.”

Australia are yet to confirm their spot in the semifinals but are more than likely to advance to the knockouts. Agreeing with Malik’s comment, Misbah-ul-Haq further said: “I feel you need to get out of the situation mentally first. They have already won 50 percent of the battle by putting every other team under pressure by playing so well in the tournament so far. So to win, teams have to believe that they can overcome this mentally and beat India.”

India will take on the Netherlands in Bengaluru in their last league game before playing in the semifinals. The Men in Blue are eying their third ODI World Cup title and first since winning it at home in 2011.