The 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup is upon us, with previous finalists New Zealand and England set to launch the tournament in India on Thursday.
Before You Bet will have you covered with plenty of previews and betting tips throughout the tournament, but before then let’s have a look at the bigger picture and predict who will win it all!
Remember to check out Cricket Tips page for regular updates throughout the ICC Men’s World Cup!
2023 ICC Men's World Cup Preview & Betting Tips
Title Best Bet
India are hot favourites to claim the title in their home World Cup, and it’s not hard to see why.
The hosts have thrived in the ODI format this year, taking out the Asia Cup as well as beating Sri Lanka, New Zealand, the West Indies, and Australia in separate series.
Furthermore, India will take a near full-strength squad into this tournament, with the only notable absentees being Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, who are both out due to injury.
Of the 15 players selected, several are in top form heading into the 2023 World Cup. Shubman Gill has been at the top of his game throughout the calendar year, tallying 1230 runs at an average of 72, while Rohit Sharma (658 runs @ 51), Virat Kohli (612 runs @ 55) and KL Rahul (531 runs @ 66) have also excelled.
With the ball, Kuldeep Yadav (33 wickets @ 16) and Mohammed Siraj (30 wickets @ 15) have been the most prolific performers, with the latter single-handedly securing India Asia Cup glory.
As such, all signs point to India taking control of this tournament, although they are bound to receive stiff competition from the likes of England, Australia and Pakistan.
Title Value Bet
It’s really tough to back an outsider in this tournament, as I’m well and truly all in on the favourites.
Nevertheless, if I had to take a punt it would be on Sri Lanka, who will carry juicy odds into this tournament despite a solid form line.
Sri Lanka have shone in the ODI format this year, winning 13 matches in a row earlier in the year as they won their way into the Asia Cup final. While they were well beaten by India in the decider, it was a successful series for the team, particularly demonstrating their destructive ability with the ball.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka have strong history in World Cup’s, having featured in 12 tournaments for three Final appearances.
With that being said, star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, Dushmantha Chameera will miss the tournament with a pectoral issue and Maheesh Theekshana remains under a cloud. That lack of bowling depth could well be Sri Lanka’s downfall in this tournament, but I’m happy to give them a shot at long odds.
Player Props
Top Tournament Wicket Taker
It’s tough to go past the two favourites here. Kuldeep Yadav and Shaheen Afridi have both starred in the ODI format this year, taking 33 and 24 wickets respectively, while playing in strong outfits that will likely progress far into this tournament.
While Yadav should thrive in home conditions, I’m leaning towards Afridi here. The Pakistani quick is lethal with the new ball and will be heavily relied upon by his team to spearhead the attack, whereas Yadav is a role player in a far more rounded bowling unit.
Tip: Shaheen Afridi @ $11 (Ladbrokes)
Top Tournament Runscorer
Shubman Gill and Babar Azam are fancied by the punters and I’m siding with them in backing Gill.
The Indian opener’s record is undeniable – he has scored 1230 runs this year including five centuries – and will always get the opportunity to score runs as an opening batsman.
I expect India to go all the way in this World Cup, and if that is the case Gill will likely be at the forefront of their success.
Tip: Shubman Gill @ $9 (Ladbrokes)
Squads
Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq. Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Farid Ahmad Malik
Australia
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain (vc), Mehidy Miraz, Tawhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Tanzid Tamim, Mahmudullah Riyad
England
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
Netherlands
Scott Edwards (c), Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Vikram Singh, Teja Nidamanuru, Paul van Meekeren, Colin Ackermann, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Ryan Klein, Wesley Barresi, Saqib Zulfiqar, Shariz Ahmad, Sybrand Engelbrecht
New Zealand
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc, wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young
Pakistan
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir. Reserves: Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris
South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams
Sri Lanka
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka. Reserve: Chamika Karunaratne
