World Cup 2015: India Odds-on Favourites to Win Quarter-Final Against Bangladesh
Defending champions India have 81 per cent chances of going through to the semi-finals and are likely to face off against Australia in the last four.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: March 17, 2015 03:56 pm IST
India are likely to ease past high-flying Bangladesh in the quarterfinal of the ICC World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday with an 81 per cent chance. Meanwhile, South Africa are tipped to win their first knockout in the tournament's history, co-hosts Australia and New Zealand are also favoured to make it to the final four. (Fixtures | Full World Cup Coverage)
First quarter-final, March 18: Sri Lanka vs South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground
South Africa: 68 per cent - South are one of the most dangerous sides but have been inconsistent so far in the tournament. The side has posted mammoth totals while batting first in four matches but failed miserably against India and Pakistan chasing 308 and 232 (DL target). The Proteas have never won a World Cup knockout match since their tournament debut in 1992, with a series of near-misses leaving them with the unwanted tag of "chokers".
Sri Lanka: 32 per cent - The Islanders have banked on their batting more than bowling. Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene have all been in great form with the bat, scoring at least one century each. The weak link for the 1996 champions is their bowling and with Rangana Herath likely to miss their last-eight match, Lasith Malinga remains their only hope to unsettle AB de Villiers and company.
Second quarter-final, March 19: India vs Bangladesh at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
India: 81 per cent - India have bounced back really well from their dismal ODI tri-series to advance to the knockouts without any hiccups. India won all their six matches in the group stages, that also involved Pakistan, West Indies and tournament favourites South Africa. The defending champions have earned full marks in all the departments with their overwhelming performances.
Bangladesh: 19 per cent - The Tigers have qualified for the knockouts of the tournament for the first time. They have played well and have looked a different unit all together. Bangladesh will be high on confidence after two back-to-back stunning performances. They knocked out England and almost got the better of New Zealand.
Third quarter-final, March 20: Australia vs Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval
Australia: 76 per cent - Australia will be wary of 'predictably unpredictable' Pakistan when the two sides lock horns at Adelaide. The four-time champions won five of their six games in Pool A and have looked like world beaters. Their batting as well as bowling have dominated the oppositions so far.
Pakistan: 24 per cent - The unpredictable Pakistanis bounced back after losing the first two games against India and the West Indies in the league to win the next four. Pakistan, champions in 1992 when the World Cup was last played Down Under, beat Australia by four wickets in Colombo during the last edition in 2011. Their strength is their bowling and with Mohammed Irfan ruled out, the onus now will be on young Sohail Khan to deliver.
Fourth quarter-final, March 21: New Zealand vs West Indies at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
New Zealand: 71 percent - The Black Caps have maintained a clean-slate going into the last eight. New Zealand have reached six World Cup semi-finals without going any further, including the last two, losing to Sri Lanka both times. The Kiwi bowling attack has been in terrific form and they will look to replicate that on Saturday.
West Indies: 29 per cent - West Indies somehow managed to make it to the last eight of the tournament. They suffered a humiliating defeat against Ireland and lost against India and South Africa. Chris Gayle will have a major impact even if he's only half fit. He has had a roller-coaster tournament with his World Cup record 215 against Zimbabwe in Canberra on February 24 being the only time he has got past 50.