Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has named five teams to be in the race to make it to the semifinals of the World Cup 2023 to be played in India from October 5 as well. Apart from the likes of India, Australia, and England, the veteran believes New Zealand and South Africa, too can be in the final four. He also said how the Proteas have come close on several occasions but never won the World Cup as well.

Speaking to The Week, Yuvraj Singh said: “Obviously India, Australia will be there (semifinals). I will pick five teams as there’s always an upset in the World Cup. India, Australia, New Zealand, England and I just feel South Africa is due. They need a white-ball trophy. There are a lot of all-rounders around. Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja. Ben Stokes is the No. 1 all-rounder at the moment. England have brought him back for the World Cup.”

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However, Yuvraj Singh was vocal about how he and other players were determined to win the 2011 World Cup for the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who was playing his last ICC event for Team India as well. He also feels the current players could also have that same motivation as veterans like Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma may not play another world cup as well.

“The guys need to push it to win the World Cup for Rohit and Virat as you may not see them in another World Cup. My relationship with Sachin was very special. I was like, ‘I am going to put my body on the line for this guy and for Team India.’ They haven’t won an ICC Trophy for 10 years so there will be pressure, but it’s just about how they’re going to handle it,” Yuvraj Singh concluded.