The 2023 ODI World Cup is all set to get underway on Thursday with a rematch of the 2019 last between England and New Zealand on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Over the course of the match, a whole of 48 matches shall be performed throughout 10 venues in India.
The World Cup shall be held in a round-robin format with every of the ten groups enjoying the others as soon as within the group stage, with the highest 4 sides qualifying for the semi-finals. While the primary semi-final shall be performed on the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15, the second shall be hosted by the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16.
The grand finale shall be held on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. Who will raise the 2023 World Cup trophy? Which sides will make it to the Top 4? And can we count on some upsets? Here are some predictions for our in-house specialists at Sportskeeda.
Shashwat Kumar: A World Cup in India, due to the sheer variety of folks that may flip up at varied venues, simply feels completely different. The dancing within the aisles, the cacophony of noise, the billions gorging their eyes on the motion – this might be an ODI World Cup like no different (and one the format actually wants).
As for predictions, nicely, this has acquired to be India’s 12 months, proper? Back on the shores the place they final received the World Cup, with a captain maybe captaining for the final time in a main ICC white-ball match. A batter who has outlined a technology, and a number of other stars who’re the gold customary for the roles they carry out – India have all the things, and that makes them outright favorites, regardless of no matter anybody says.
But right here’s the factor. The 9 different groups will not be right here to soak up the sights. Australia and England have extra white-ball title-winning pedigree than the Indian aspect, and India’s report towards New Zealand in ICC tournaments is bordering on changing into a foregone conclusion. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa additionally arrive a lot stronger than they did in 2019.
While I nonetheless reckon India will go all the way in which, there shall be upsets, drama, social media dissection (is a World Cup in 2023 even price it with out the social media buzz) and riveting motion – all the things that may (or relatively ought to) gentle up a format that threatens to float away.
Rudransh Khurana: I feel it might be an England vs. India last, with Jos Buttler’s group taking the cup once more. India have all the things happening for them proper now however even after a lot cricket, I have not seen the ruthlessness in them that groups normally want for tournaments like this.
England do have a spin drawback however their group depth, steadiness and expertise are simply method too good. The defending champions will blow groups away even when they aren’t at their finest or whereas rotating gamers. If the toss does not play a freakish benefit just like the 2021 T20 WC, nobody’s stopping England.
Sai Krishna: A house World Cup solely provides to the idea that it is powerful to look previous India. No different group combines spin-bowling selection, fast-bowling efficiency and top-order reliability in the way in which the Men in Blue do.
There are issues, after all, with the lower-middle order and accidents being specific drawback areas over the past 12 months. Excessive journey because of a relatively weird schedule and its potential implications might additionally take their toll over the course of the match, and the suffocating stress India are sure to face in every single place they go is commonly brushed beneath the carpet when it arguably should not be.
But on paper, India have a aspect tailored to go all the way in which, each skill-wise and mentally. Australia and England, who’ve barely any weaknesses, would be the apparent opponents to beat. South Africa and New Zealand are at all times succesful underdogs, and Pakistan are Pakistan, nevertheless it might be Rohit Sharma lifting the trophy on November 19.
Venkatesh Ravichandran: This World Cup might come all the way down to the choice of the suitable enjoying XI for that specific venue and opponent together with groups being versatile in-game. Almost all of the contending groups appear to have 12 or 13 that warrant choice, so one thing as small as leaving the suitable one or two in line with the necessity of the hour might have a vital bearing on the result.
In that sense, it’s exhausting to look past England as one of many finalists, as they appear to have gotten these finer points higher than the opposite sides over the previous couple of years!! ( Like selecting Archer in 2019 or the utilization of Wood within the T20 World Cup and Stokes because the opening bowler, and many others.).
Yet, defending a title is commonly a lot tougher than successful it so Australia and India shall be proper there with them. But India has to indicate that they will overcome the large sport nerves and their timid batting on the day to be believed fully. The Aussies have by no means endured two consecutive World Cups with out at the least making the ultimate since 1983 so they need to be the opposite finalist.
So, I’m going for an England vs Australia last on an Ahmedabad pitch that ought to negate the batting of each side and the Aussies popping out on high because of their bowling.
Also, have a feeling that the group that drops the least variety of catches of top-order batters shall be internet hosting the trophy in the long run. So amidst all of the main run-scorers and wicket-takers lists, that is the one my eyes shall be fixated on.
Gokul Nair: More so than the rest, the 2023 version of the World Cup comes throughout as a baptism by fireplace for the ODI format. The match comes at a time when franchise cricket has proven its dominance however has left a little bit of respiratory area for the 50-over format.
As far because the groups are involved, the predominant flat circumstances will dictate the enjoying XI mixture and it’d show to be the important thing on this match. Sides like Australia and England are counting on their all-rounders to ship within the spin division with their part-time bowling, whereas the subcontinent sides have a longtime and structured spin unit.
Another issue which might doubtlessly dictate the proceedings on the World Cup is dew. With the temperatures typically being cooler within the subcontinent within the latter elements of the 12 months, its onset might have a big say
Considering the entire components, it’s simply exhausting to look previous Team India’s dwelling benefit (which might be their undoing within the blink of an eye fixed), in addition to England’s sheer power from high to backside.
The 2023 version might ship the ultimate that was missed out narrowly 4 years in the past. England’s expertise of getting excelled in crunch matches offers them a slight benefit over the Men in Blue, ought to such a last come to fruition.
Anuj Prabhu: It’s been 10 lengthy years since India received an ICC Trophy. The semi-final defeat in 2019 nonetheless hurts me typically. Hopefully, that is India’s 12 months, as issues have began to fall in place for captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. After the ODI sequence within the West Indies earlier this 12 months, I didn’t have a lot hope. However, the way in which they performed within the Asia Cup has reignited that hope a bit.
KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav all being among the many runs have been completely good for us. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj proceed to breathe fireplace with the ball and Kuldeep Yadav continues to achieve new heights in his redemption arc.
I simply hope that that is India’s 12 months. I feel England too have all of the bases coated to defend their World Cup crown. But if not India, I want to see a new World Cup winner, ideally one between New Zealand and South Africa.
Sooryanarayanan Sesha: You consider the ODI World Cup and the primary group that pops up in thoughts is Australia. Granted that they enter this version having misplaced 5 video games on the bounce at one stage however when the large event comes by, they’re a completely different entity altogether. A look at their squad on paper means that they nonetheless stay one of many better-balanced outfits with loads of high quality all-round choices to show to.
India enjoying at dwelling would tempt one into selecting them as favourites and a potential triumph this time shouldn’t surprise many. But for what it’s price, Australia have this delicate knack of following the imply reversion philosophy and on the again of consecutive ODI sequence defeats, you’d suppose the one method forward is upward.
Very few groups maintain their nerve in addition to the Aussies do within the crunch moments – a reality mirrored in one thing as fundamental as the various secure catchers that they’ve in their ranks. They have a proud report within the match to defend and having misplaced their crown in England in 2019, will come out a extra decided lot, particularly given this might nicely be the World Cup swansong for a few of their most interesting gamers.
Aditya Desai: In my humble opinion, India go into the World Cup with the fewest complications, barring the issue of a lot, after all. Roster-wise, they’ve all their bins ticked, having sufficient backups that may undoubtedly come in useful, contemplating the lengthy period of the match.
Yes, enjoying at dwelling shall be a double-edged sword, however the unwavering assist of this cricket-frenzy nation will virtually actually outweigh the stress of expectations. Being nicely conscious of the circumstances has benefited host nations up to now three editions, a pattern unlikely to die down very quickly.
The largest power India have is the presence of accumulators in their batting lineup. While power-hitting has been the flavour of the season in white-ball cricket, the artwork of pacing the innings should not be discounted. India have confronted the warmth for their underwhelming performances in ICC occasions, however is not the fun of the primary rain after a drought unparalleled?
Vinay Chhabria: To me, India appear to be the favourites to win the ICC World Cup 2023. Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar have labored exhausting to assemble a squad which has all of the bases coated. The batting lineup seems stellar, the bowling is deadly, and for the primary time in a very long time, India has a number of dependable choices for the center order. All-rounder Hardik Pandya needs to be the X-factor for India.
I feel Afghanistan and Pakistan will surprise many followers within the match. Afghanistan ought to make it to the World Cup semifinals for the primary time. Their spin assault might be the very best within the match, and their batting has been firing on all cylinders in latest matches.
Pakistan have proven nice consistency at ICC occasions, having received the Champions Trophy 2017, narrowly lacking out on the semifinals within the 2019 World Cup, topping the group stage in T20 World Cup 2021 and ending runners-up within the 2022 T20 World Cup. They ought to make it to the highest 4 this time.
The fourth group within the semifinals might be New Zealand or Australia. Both groups know raise their sport when it issues probably the most. Their gamers have a nice thought of the circumstances in India. So I really feel India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia would be the Top 5 groups, with India successful the title on November 19.
Srinjoy Sanyal: Wankhede has bounce. Eden Gardens allows seam and swing. Motera aids power-hitting. These three venues will host the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup knockouts – India’s bugbear for 10 years.
Rohit Sharma’s males are one of the vital balanced items on paper. But query marks stay over their potential to flick the psychological swap within the video games that matter. Please notice, that a dwelling World Cup brings with it excruciating stress, compounded by some even having a potential farewell.
There’s little doubt over the 4 favourites for the semi-finals.
But to me, England look primed to efficiently defend their crown. A left-right opening mixture, a Joe Root tailored for this format, that center order, a plethora of all-rounders, a liquorice allsorts bowling division – seeds which were sown over time for generations to reap.
Renin Wilben Albert: Loads of critics and followers reckon that India are the favorites to win the World Cup at dwelling. They are undoubtedly one of many high sides within the competitors, as are defending champions England. But Australia is one other aspect that may emerge on high in the event that they play to potential.
A few cricket pundits have proclaimed that the group that beats India will go on to win the 2023 World Cup. Australia is one group that has persistently troubled India in India in white-ball cricket. They did go down within the lately concluded ODI sequence, however had registered a formidable win earlier within the 12 months.
Australia won’t be the strongest aspect on paper, however have a variety of influence gamers – from Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Most of they’ve loads of expertise of enjoying in Indian circumstances.
We haven’t spoken about David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. If they arrive off, they will single-handedly win video games. And whereas Australia have just one frontline spinner in Adam Zampa, he’s an X issue within the group, his latest struggles in South Africa however.
India have a implausible aspect as nicely and can go into the World Cup with some glorious performances. But there have been phases the place they’ve struggled at dwelling in white ball cricket. As for England, it stays to be seen whether or not Bazball magic works in India.
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