Back to No. 1⃣ 💥
Mohammed Siraj reclaimed the top spot in the latest @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s ODI Bowlers Rankings update 👏
✍: https://t.co/JsYVtP0kaB pic.twitter.com/fllqjmlcev
— ICC (@ICC) September 20, 2023
With the ICC Cricket World Cup being back on Asian soil for the first time since 2011, there will be high expectations from those from the continent taking part in the tournament this year. Conditions should be in their favor against the world’s best teams.
Here is a look at the chances of the leading Asian teams, and who is likely to lift the trophy at the end of the two-month tournament.
India Strong Favorite at Home
As the hosts, a lot of pressure will be on India’s shoulders during the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Just like at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, which also took place in India, fans of the home team are expecting their team to go all the way.
India starts the tournament as the +220 favorites in the cricket satta betting for the trophy. The team goes into the event in excellent form, as it won the Asia Cup in September, beating Sri Lanka in the final.
Since July, India has lost just two of its last 10 ODI matches. The team is second in the ICC ODI rankings, but victory over Australia in its final series before the World Cup could see it jump ahead of leaders Pakistan to the top of the standings.
India is fortunate to have a squad that is full of depth. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya have a lot of experience in their batting lineup, and they will be joined by the exciting talent of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav, despite speculation about the latter missing out.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s bowling attack. The former is back following a long absence out of the game through injury. His return is a huge boost for the three-time winners. Siraj also showed what he was capable of in the Asia Cup final, taking six wickets in that game, including four in one over. The strong bowling attack is without record-breaking Rank Trophy fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat.
India remains without their star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who is still recovering from his knee injury which also ruled him out of the IPL in 2023.
Pakistan Loses Key Bowler on Eve of Tournament
Pakistan has been dealt a cruel blow ahead of the Cricket World Cup, as bowler Naseem Shah picked up a shoulder injury which has ruled him out of the tournament. As one of the leading fast bowlers in the sport, this is sure to weaken Babar Azam’s team.
The Men in Green showed how good they can be in white ball cricket when they reached the final of the T20 World Cup in Australia last November. They were beaten in that contest by England, but they ran Jos Buttler’s side close.
As the number one-ranked team in the world, Pakistan will feel it has its best chance of winning the trophy since it won at Lord’s in 1992. The team has ODI series wins over Afghanistan (3-0), and New Zealand (4-1) in 2023, while it reached the semi-final of the Asia Cup, before losing a close game to Sri Lanka on the last ball of the match.
Sri Lanka Needs to Improve from Asia Cup Final Showing
There will be mixed feelings from the Sri Lankan players heading into the Cricket World Cup. 2023 has been an excellent year for them in 50-overs cricket. The team went on a 13-game winning run, which was ended by India in the Super Fours at the Asia Cup. However, its performance in the final against India will leave many of them embarrassed and desperate to bounce back.
What a thrilling victory!
Sri Lanka secures a spot in the #AsiaCup2023 finals on Sunday with a thrilling 2-wicket win over Pakistan!#AsiaCup2023 #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/lJF3CCNjPK
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 14, 2023
After beating Pakistan in the semi-final, Sri Lanka was hammered in the final of the Asia Cup by 10 wickets. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but made just 50 runs, one of its lowest totals in ODI cricket history. India needed just 6.1 over to get those runs.
If the players can put that embarrassing defeat to the back of their minds, there are lots of positives for Sri Lanka ahead of the tournament. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana has had a lot of success over the last 12 months in international cricket and the IPL. The latter has been on pitches that will be used at the World Cup.
The 2023 Cricket World Cup takes place between October 5 and November 19. The final takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
