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The Black Caps are one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments and have played back-to-back ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019.
Aaron Finch predicts four semifinalists of ODI World Cup 2027. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Even though there is around a year left before the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 begins and a lot can change in the next 12 months, former Australian skipper Aaron Finch has made his early predictions for the top four teams at the tournament.
In his list, Finch, who captained Australia to the T20 World Cup title in 2021, included the likes of India and Australia, but surprisingly, there was no mention of New Zealand.
The Black Caps are one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments and have reached back-to-back ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019, in addition to making it to the semi-finals in 2007, 2011 and 2023.
In addition to the Kiwis, Finch did not include Pakistan in his list either.
According to Finch, India, England, co-hosts South Africa and six-time champions Australia are his top-four teams for the ODI World Cup 2027, which is set to begin on October 2.
“India. I think the way England are playing their cricket at the moment under Harry Brook, I think they have got a side that’s got the ability to play spin really well through the middle overs and they’re quite aggressive and destructive. Harry Brook arguably one of the best player in the world in that format. South Africa – in their home conditions, I think they have a lot of basis covered. They have a got great quicks, very very good spin, their batting has got a great mix of youth and experience so they have got that freedom as well. So that’ll be dangerous and of course Australia,” Finch said.
Of the four teams predicted by Finch to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2027, three (India, Australia, South Africa) also made it to the last four of the 2023 edition, while three of them (India, England, South Africa) featured in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026.
In next year’s ODI World Cup, India will face Australia in their first match of Round 1 on October 7, while the high-voltage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is scheduled to take place at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on October 11. The same venue will host the final of next year’s 50-over mega event on November 21.
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Ask News18Former Australian captain Aaron Finch predicted that India, England, co-hosts South Africa, and six-time champions Australia will be the top four teams to reach the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2027.
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Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More
October 10, 2026, 16:22 IST
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