The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is just a few days away and the excitement for the same is slowly reaching its peak. The enthusiasts of the game and even the casual fans have all been speculating which of the 10 participating teams will be crowned champions.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will begin in India from October 5 onwards. There are 10 teams participating in the tournament – India (hosts), England, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Afghanistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
The tournament will see 48 games played across 10 venues in India with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting the opening match on October 5 between New Zealand and England and also the final on November 19, 2023.
Here are the 5 teams that can win the Cricket World Cup 2023
5. Pakistan
Pakistan-Team. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Pakistan have done really well in multi-nation tournaments in the last two years or so. Under Babar Azam, Pakistan played the semi-final and the final of the last two T20 World Cups respectively. Pakistan also reached the final of the Asia Cup 2022 in UAE. They were also the no.1 ranked ODI team until recently.
The Men in Green have always been considered the dark horses in World Cup tournaments. They are coming into this tournament with a very talented batting lineup which is led by captain Babar Azam, who is reigning supreme at the no.1 spot in ODI batting rankings. He is supported by Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed to name a few.
Even on the bowling side of things, Pakistan are well equipped with Shaheen Afridi leading the pace unit with Haris Rauf for support. Hassan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are the support bowlers. Shadab Khan, the vice-captain, and Mohammad Nawaz will handle the spin duties, with Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir for the company.
4. New Zealand
New Zealand. (Photo Source: Twitter)
New Zealand are always punching above their weight in ICC tournaments and hence they have been able to make it into the finals of the last two Cricket World Cup events in 2015 and 2019. Unfortunately, it was heartbreak for them both times. Especially in the 2019 edition, as the England victory didn’t come in the actual match or super over.
Despite this fate, New Zealand are considered favourites to win the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India. They have been bolstered by the return of Kane Williamson, who was out with a knee injury and pacer Trent Boult, who had opted out of central contracts. Apart from this, they have formidable assets in Tom Latham, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell to name a few.
Though they haven’t won the World Cup yet, they’ve reached the final twice and will be eager to clinch the title this time.
3. Australia
Australia. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)
Australia can never be ruled out of contention when it comes to writing about the teams who can win the World Cup. The five-time World Champions, Australia are the only side to win the tournament thrice in a row. Their dominance in the tournament can be seen from the fact that they had remained unbeaten in ICC World Cups 2003 and 2007.
Australia will be led by Pat Cummins in this World Cup and they boast of a deadly batting combination. David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell can be nightmares for any bowling lineup on their day. On the bowling end, they have their skipper, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in the pace department.
Adam Zampa has done well in Indian conditions previously as well as in the Indian Premier League and will be an asset to the side. One of the most intimidating things about the Australian side is their all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David. They can change the game with the bat and the ball and are huge six-hitters. This gives them the batting dept they require.
2. England
England. (Photo: Robert Smith MI News) (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The defending champions England not only revolutionised Test cricket, but they have changed the way one-day cricket is played as well. Under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, England has adopted the same approach as the Test side, filling their side with batters and all-rounders. This gives their top-order freedom to go after the bowling from the start, knowing they have a backup in the middle and lower order.
England was bolstered with the return of Ben Stokes in the ODI side, but he will be playing solely as a batter. The recent form of Liam Livingstone, Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow are encouraging. Their spin attack of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid is very good, though they will miss Jofra Archer a lot.
The pace attack of England has variety in Mark Wood’s speed, David Willey and Reece Topley’s left-arm fast and Chris Woakes’ ability to swing the ball early.
1. India
India vs WI 1st ODI. (Pic source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP)
India will be hosting the World Cup tournament as the sole host for the first time. Last the World Cup tournament played in India was in 2011 and the hosts won the tournament. Under Rohit Sharma, India will be looking to end their ICC trophy drought. They will enter the tournament with some good form behind them from the Asia Cup.
With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya, the Men in Blue are looking good in the batting department. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will be the stars of the spin department and one of R Ashwin or Axar Patel will join them.
But one space where India is spoilt for choices is the fast-bowing department. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami are the first-choice picks with Prasidh Krishna waiting in the wings.
And add to that the huge advantage of playing at home with the knowledge of pitches and grounds, India will definitely be favourites to win the tournament. They will also be cheered by thousands of supporters wherever they play in the country, as their 9 group stage matches will be all played across 9 different venues.