‘India and Pakistan are not favourites to win the 2023 ODI World Cup’: Kumar Sangakkara

[deltexas]

Well you can say that for pakistan but not for India for sure!

They are in super hot form and it looks like nobody can stop India to lift the trophy this time.

Also Sanga never said Ind , Pak are not faves.. What he said was "now Asian conditions don’t only favour the subcontinental players" - meaning all the 5 or 6 teams have an equal chance.

 

[captain.hansolo]

How are teams shaping up for the 2023 CWC and who are the favourites?

Unlike previous CWC cycles, there's no clear favourites this time thanks to the reduced number of bilateral ODI's that were played and the pandemic. Here's how I see the different teams

1. England

Reigning champions but haven't had a great run since the 2019 WC in this format. They produce white ball cricketers, specifically batsmen, of a very high quality but the decline of Roy and the unavailability of Archer could be significant issues and they havent looked invincible like they did the last time around. Also, India has never been a great venue for them in ODI's historically speaking. Should make Semifinal though.

2. NZ

New Zealand would depend on Boult and Matt Henry to strike in the Powerplay upfront as their backup options like Tickner and Shipley have not looked as good . Even more so, the decline of Lockie since the last CWC should be a cause for concern in the middle overs but they have spinners who can compete with the best in this format. The batting looks more explosive with the Phillips and Bracewell a part of the side but NZ will hope that Finn Allen hits form as well. Should make semifinalbut may struggle against more complete sides.

3. India

India should make the semifinals based on their strengths while playing at home but the team looks very unsettled with key positions not being filled and with aging players like Rohit, Kohli and Shami. Injuries to the likes of Bumrah and Pant haven't helped either. That said, the emergence of Shubman and Siraj as top class ODI players is very encouraging and a lot will depend on how balanced a squad they can finally send. As of now, another SF exit awaits due to the lack of X factor in both batting and bowling.

4. Australia

Australia should be early favourites for the World Cup simply considering the quality of the main and the bench strength that they have in all departments. Their 3 quicks - Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins - are all high quality ODI bowlers and they have able back ups in Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, Nathan ellis and even the young prospect lance morris is promising Their spin stocks are well covered with Zampa, Agar possibly Kuhnemann and Maxwell giving the part time off spin option. With the highly talented Josh Inglis as a back up batting option and the world's best young allrounder in Cameron Green, there is no team that is as well settled or as balanced as the Aussies.

5. Pakistan

Pakistan's bowling potency in T20's has not translated as well to other formats but with the return of Shaheen and Shadab, a bowling attack of Shaheen/Naseem/Nawaz/Shadab should be competent in Indian conditions. There are question marks about the 3rd seamer as Rauf’s T20 prowess diminishes in the longer formats. The batting is solid but lacks the explosive power of other teams and even the bowling depends on how well Shaheen and Shadab pull up. A semifinal would be overavcheiving for this side.

6. RSA

South Africa haven’t even qualified for the main tournament yet and their team looks in disarray. The bowling attack plays all formats and looked jaded from the workload and Rabada in particular needs to be managed. From balancing quotas and balancing the team, this side faces a lot of challenges. Rassie is their key batsmen but considering their form and selection issues, a semifinal would be a big achievement.

7. The Rest

Other than potentially being banana peels for the stronger sides, SL, WI, BD and Afghanistan have no realistic chance of winning or even qualifying for the knockouts.

Who do you think are favourites and why?

Oh dear how this has not aged well. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been quite wrong. 5 remains to be seen, and 7 is at best incomplete if not wrong.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Oh dear how this has not aged well. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been quite wrong. 5 remains to be seen, and 7 is at best incomplete if not wrong.

Let's see your predictions from so far out, Cap.

 

[BouncerGuy]

India should be one of the favorites here. After that, it will be Australia. Pakistan is struggling to qualify here for the semis. South Africa is termed as a choker, maybe they can remove this tag this time but I am not sure. But India is definitely a favorite here.

 

[captain.hansolo]

Let's see your predictions from so far out, Cap.

Not in the business of making predictions 10 months before a tournament where skill and player roster is far from settled. Maybe at the start of the tournament or the match.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

One of India/Australia is most likely winning this Cup. All others have too many flaws to be honest. Saffers look the strongest skill-wise but no experience/choking is a BIG hurdle for them.

Even if both India and Australia don't make the final, whoever makes the final wins. Between the 2 , it's hard to call but Australia will have the edge because India's bowling allrounder balance might cost us more than their batting allrounder balance.

Still. Too close to call.

Called it a month ago. One of India/OZ

 

[Bhaijaan]

Called it a month ago. One of India/OZ

If you were not a Bharatiya, your analytical skills prowess would have earned you the status of a legend. But such things are expected from regular smart Bharatiyas. Business as usual.

 

[BouncerGuy]

India should be one of the favorites here. After that, it will be Australia. Pakistan is struggling to qualify here for the semis. South Africa is termed as a choker, maybe they can remove this tag this time but I am not sure. But India is definitely a favorite here.

Told you guys. Both of my favourites for this world cup are in the finals. I will give 60-40 advantage india here.

 

[sweep_shot]

Sangakara had the last laugh.

It was Aussies who were the eventual winners.