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Cricket World Cup betting tips:
- India to win the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup – 2/1 bet365
- Virat Kohli to be Top Batter – 7/1 Unibet
- Mitchell Starc to be Top Bowler – 10/1 Betway
The 13th ICC Cricket World Cup begins on Thursday in India and the hosts are hotly tipped by UK betting sites to win the crown for a third time.
The last three World Cups have been won by the home team and India are priced at 2/1 by bet365 to lift the trophy, although there will be fierce competition from holders England.
India last won the competition in 2011 on home soil and will be desperate to continue the recent trend of host nation winners after Australia and England followed their example in 2015 and 2019.
Rohit Sharma leads a strong unit stacked with talent and potential to thrive on the grand stage, but India will also have to cope with the pressure of the occasion which has been their downfall in the past.
ICC Cricket World Cup odds: India to triumph?
India enter the competition as favourites and their tag is justified due to the talent of their line-up alone. After lifting the trophy for the second time in 2011, India failed to deliver in the next two tournaments, losing out at the semi-final stage on both occasions to Australia and New Zealand respectively.
There is always pressure on India ahead of every major competition and the glare of the spotlight will only intensify further being the host nation.
Fortunately, Sharma has a cool head, having guided Mumbai Indians to several IPL crowns during his tenure as skipper. He can draw on his leadership experience as well as using his potent batting line-up.
Of course, Virat Kohli will be the main draw of the team due to his imperious record in the 50-over game. But Shubman Gill’s potential is one of the most exciting developments for India at the top of the order with the power of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan down the order.
Jasprit Bumrah has missed a lot of time with injury but he is India’s match-winner with ball in hand. If India can handle the pressure, they will be tough to stop.
England are the team in possession and will not relinquish their title lightly. Jos Buttler leads a team that has experience of winning trophies and delivering on the major stage.
Ben Stokes’ return to the team was a huge boost for the Three Lions, who have an equally powerful batting line-up at their disposal.
The difference from 2019 could be the bowling ranks that can be unpredictable. Adil Rashid has been battling an injury problem, which could hinder their charge against the elite sides.
New Zealand always punch above their weight in major competitions and 2023 could be no different as they once again have an experienced unit.
Kane Williamson’s fitness has been a problem in the build-up to the tournament that may loom large for the Black Caps and he is expected to miss the opening game at least.
Australia have struggled in their warm-up matches and their team looks to be behind the leading contenders, although you can never count them out despite their issues. Pakistan are always dangerous customers and will be desperate to perform in their rivals’ backyard.
Their price of 15/2 with Unibet could be worth a look if you want an outside bet, but our money is on the hosts.
Tip: India to win the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup – 2/1 bet365
Who will lead the run chart?
Shubman Gill enters the tournament as the main contender to lead the run chart according to UK bookmakers.
The 24-year-old has an outstanding ODI record, averaging 66.10 from his 35 matches, with six centuries and nine fifties. Gill is in prime form having scored a blistering hundred against Australia.
Sharma and company will be looking for him to provide impetus at the top of the order but it will be interesting to see how he responds to the pressure.
For all his achievements in the game, Virat Kohli comes into the tournament with a point to prove. He has a sensational ODI record but has never taken command of an international competition.
At the age of 34, time is running out for Kohli to put his stamp on the World Cup and at odds of 7/1 with Unibet, he is our pick to lead the run chart. Given the form of Gill, Kohli might be slightly under the radar.
Ben Stokes was England’s hero in the 2019 World Cup final with a match-winning performance against New Zealand. The England Test captain reversed his decision to retire from ODIs and mustered the highest ODI score by a Three Lions player in a dominating win over New Zealand ahead of the competition.
He’ll be playing solely as a batter at number four and if he can harness that level of form throughout the tournament, he could be the outside option to watch in the Cricket World Cup odds at 22/1 with bet365.
Tip: Virat Kohli to be Top Batter – 7/1 Unibet
Will Starc top wicket column for a third time?
Mitchell Starc has been outstanding for Australia in past World Cups. He took 22 wickets in their winning run to the title in 2015 and although the Baggy Greens failed at the semi-final stage in 2019, Starc still walked away with 27 strikes to lead the wicket column for the second tournament in a row.
The left-arm pace bowler has lost none of his vigour and was a thorn in England’s side during the Ashes. He proved that he is in great form ahead of the World Cup with a hat-trick against Netherlands. At odds of 10/1 with Betway, Starc has the pedigree to finish top yet again.
Ravindra Jadeja has developed into one of the best spinning all-rounders in the game. He will be instrumental for India in the competition with both bat and ball. The 34-year-old can be hit and miss in the ODI format, not offering the same threat as he has done in Test matches and T20.
However, Sharma will be relying on the left-armer in the middle overs and in home conditions expect Jadeja to be a threat. Look out for him to top the wicket column at odds of 25/1 with Unibet if you’re looking an outside bet.
England are coming to the end of their cycle of talent and it could be Adil Rashid’s last World Cup. The leg-spinner has been a model of consistency since he came into the ranks in 2015 and was a crucial player for Eoin Morgan’s side in their run to the trophy in 2019.
Rashid does come into the tournament short of form but few can doubt his quality on the world stage and he will have favourable conditions to work in. For England to have success in India, Rashid will need to thrive.
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
